Method for making an acetate tow band with shape and size used for coding

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a method of making an acetate tow bands comprising identification fibers which can be used for tracking and tracing the acetate tow band through at least part of the supply chain. Each identification fiber exhibits at least one distinct feature. Each group of distinguishable identification fibers can exhibit a taggant cross-section shape, a taggant cross-section size, or combination of the same taggant cross-section shape and same taggant cross-section size. The distinct features and the number of fibers in each group of distinguishable identification fibers can represent at least one supply chain component of the acetate tow band, including the manufacturer of the acetate tow band and the customer of the acetate tow band. The identification fibers can be produced on a cellulose acetate tow line using one or more spinnerets with spinneret holes to produce the taggant cross-section shapes and/or taggant cross-section sizes.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/018,182, filed Jun. 27, 2014, U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/105,011, filed Jan. 19, 2015, andU.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/160,930, filed May 13, 2015,each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to fibers comprising identificationfibers with certain shapes, sizes, and numbers of distinguishableidentification fibers. The characteristics of the identification fiberscan be representative of specific supply chain information. Thecharacteristics of the identification fibers can allow fibers to betracked from manufacturing through intermediaries, conversion to finalproduct, and/or the consumer. The present disclosure also relates to themethod of making the fibers and the method of characterizing the fibers.

BACKGROUND

Many industries have a need to mark, tag, or identify products thatallows for the tracking and tracing of products through the supplychain. One of the primary purposes for such track and trace systems isthe combating of illicit trade such as counterfeiting and black marketsales.

Anti-counterfeiting measures (ACMs) can be regarded as three differenttypes: Type I (Overt), Type II (Covert) and Type III (Forensic). Type IACMs are features incorporated into an article that are readilyidentified and observable to the naked eye. Examples include watermarks,color shifting inks, colored fibers, bands, or strips incorporated intothe article, and holograms. Type II ACMs are features that areincorporated into the article that require some form of instrument toidentify the feature in the field. The instruments required aregenerally those that are readily available and transportable. Someexamples include the incorporation of very small text (requiring the useof a magnifying glass), UV responsive inks or threads (requiringillumination with a UV light), and barcodes or RFID tags (requiring aspecialized reader). Type III ACMs are hidden attributes that requirespecialized laboratory equipment to identify. Some Type III examplesinclude nano-text, micro-taggants, DNA inks, and chemical additives.

As stated above, there are many widely-used packaging and labellingtaggants and anti-counterfeiting measures (ACMs) in many industries, butthese more overt solutions are often susceptible to countermeasures suchas destruction, modification, duplication, repackaging, or relabeling.Altering the physical features of the raw materials of a product canprovide a more covert solution that is much more difficult to evade.These taggants may be used to track the fibers through the supply chain.The taggants may change the physical properties of the fibers, yarn,fiber bands, and/or derivative articles in a manner that is difficult tocopy or alter but is detectable using image analysis and/or othermechanical methods.

There is a need to manufacture, test, and track fibers in yarn and/orfiber bands and their derivative articles across a wide spectrum ofindustries. The ability to identify the source of a yarn, fiber band,and/or an article comprising the yarn or fiber band can be achieved byembedding some form of a code in the fiber(s) during the manufacturingprocess that can then be later identified, retrieved, and used toidentify the yarn, fiber band and/or the article. Identification tagscan be incorporated into the yarn or fiber band that can denote, forexample, manufacturer, manufacture site, customer, and ship-to locationamong other supply chain information that might be useful for the trackand trace of the yarn, fiber band, and/or article.

The disclosed exemplary embodiments can be used, for example, to combatthe continuing and growing illicit-trade problem of tobacco products,particularly cigarettes. It has been estimated that 10-12% of allcigarette sales are illicit, either counterfeit copies or sales thatavoid paying excise taxes on the cigarettes (Tobacco International,“Tackling Illicit Trade, Pt. I,” December 2013). To combat this illicittrade requires a global effort consisting of manufacturers,distributors, regulators, and customs/law enforcement, as well asretailers who sell the cigarettes to consumers. There is a need to beable to track and ultimately trace components used in the constructionof a cigarette. For example, the ability to track part of the supplychain path of acetate tow contained in the filter of a black marketcigarette may give helpful information on the source of these illicitcigarettes.

There is a need for a traceable acetate tow that is readilymanufactured, does not impact the performance of a cigarette filter, andis detectable, not only in an acetate tow band, but also in a single ora set of cigarettes/cigarette filters. There is a need for a traceableacetate tow that is readily accepted by cigarette manufacturers andconsumers, such as an acetate tow that does not require adding chemicalswhich may impact taste and/or require regulatory approval. There is aneed for traceable acetate tow that does not impact the pressure dropand yield of a cigarette filter. There is a need for traceable acetatetow that maintains its traceability when bloomed, plasticized, andformed into a filter.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In a first embodiment, fibers comprise identification fibers. Each ofthe identification fibers exhibits at least one distinct feature. Theidentification fibers consist of one or more groups of distinguishableidentification fibers, each group of distinguishable identificationfibers being formed by the identification fibers having the samedistinct feature or the same combination of distinct features. A numberof the identification fibers in each group of the distinguishableidentification fibers is defined as a fiber count. At least one of thefiber counts corresponds to a taggant fiber count. The distinct featuresin each group of the distinguishable identification fibers and the oneor more taggants fiber counts are representative of at least one supplychain component of the fibers.

In a second embodiment, an acetate tow band comprises fibers. The fiberscomprise standard fibers and identification fibers and the standardfibers comprise cellulose acetate. Each of the identification fibersexhibits at least one distinct feature. The identification fibersconsist of one or more groups of distinguishable identification fibers,each group of distinguishable identification fibers being formed by theidentification fibers having the same distinct feature or the samecombination of distinct features. The number of identification fibers ineach group of distinguishable identification fibers is defined as afiber count. At least one of the fiber counts corresponds to a taggantfiber count. The distinct features in each group of distinguishableidentification fibers and the one or more taggant fiber counts arerepresentative of at least one supply chain component associated withthe acetate tow band.

In a third embodiment, a filter comprises an acetate tow band comprisingfibers. The fibers comprise standard fibers comprising cellulose acetateand identification fibers. Each of the identification fibers exhibits atleast one distinct feature. The identification fibers consist of one ormore groups of distinguishable identification fibers, each group of thedistinguishable identification fibers being formed by the identificationfibers having the same distinct feature or the same combination ofdistinct features. The number of the identification fibers in each groupof the distinguishable identification fibers is defined as a fibercount. At least one of the fiber counts corresponds to a taggant fibercount. The distinct features in each group of distinguishableidentification fibers and the one or more taggant fiber counts arerepresentative of at least one supply chain component associated withthe acetate tow band.

In a fourth embodiment, a method of making an acetate tow band comprisesfibers. The fibers comprise identification fibers and standard fiberscomprising cellulose acetate. The method comprises: (a) producing theidentification fibers on a first fiber production process; (b) producingthe standard fibers on a second fiber production process; and (c)combining the identification fibers and the standard fibers into anacetate tow band. Each of the identification fibers exhibits at leastone distinct feature. The identification fibers consist of one or moregroups of distinguishable identification fibers, each group ofdistinguishable identification fibers being formed by the identificationfibers having the same distinct feature or the same combination ofdistinct features. The number of the identification fibers in each groupof the distinguishable identification fibers is defined as a fibercount. At least one of the fiber counts corresponds to a taggant fibercount. The distinct features in each group of the distinguishableidentification fibers and the one or more taggant fiber counts arerepresentative of at least one supply chain component of the acetate towband.

In a fifth embodiment, a method of characterizing a fiber samplecomprises (1) applying imaging technology to the fiber sample comprisingfibers. The fibers comprise identification fibers and standard fibersand each of the identification fibers exhibits at least one distinctfeature. The identification fibers consist of one or more groups ofdistinguishable identification fibers, each group of distinguishableidentification being formed by the identification fibers having the samedistinct feature or the same combination of distinct features. Themethod further comprises (2) detecting the groups of the distinguishableidentification fibers, and (3) counting a number of each of thedistinguishable identification fibers. The number of identificationfibers in each group of the distinguishable identification fibers isdefined as a fiber count. At least one of the fiber counts correspondsto a taggant fiber count. The distinct features in each group of thedistinguishable identification fibers and the one or more taggant fibercounts are representative of at least one supply chain component of thefiber sample.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrate fiber bands containing cellulose acetate fibers withthree cross-section sizes.

FIG. 2 illustrates a fiber band containing cellulose acetate fibers withthree cross-section shapes.

FIG. 3 illustrates a stitched-together photomicrograph of a filter rodof Example 3.

FIG. 4 illustrates the spinneret hole shapes and fiber images forExamples 12-15.

FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) illustrate a non-limiting example of communicationand shipping channels consistent with disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates a non-limiting example of a computing system used byone or more entities consistent with disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates a non-limiting example of a process for embeddingsupply chain information into fibers.

FIG. 8 illustrates a non-limiting example of a process for generatingcorrelation data mapping distinct features to supply chain information.

FIG. 9 illustrates a non-limiting example of a process for generatingcorrelation data mapping distinct features to supply chain information.

FIG. 10 illustrates a non-limiting example of a process for producingidentification fibers.

FIG. 11 illustrates a non-limiting example of a process for choosing oneor more manufacturing methods for producing identification fibers.

FIG. 12 illustrates a non-limiting example of a process for identifyingsupply chain information from a sample.

FIG. 13 illustrates a non-limiting example of a process for assigning,to supply chain components, combinations of distinct features andtaggant fiber counts that uniquely represent the supply chaincomponents.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In an embodiment, fibers comprise identification fibers. Each of theidentification fibers exhibits at least one distinct feature. Theidentification fibers consist of one or more groups of distinguishableidentification fibers, each group of distinguishable identificationfibers being formed by the identification fibers having the samedistinct feature or the same combination of distinct features. A numberof the identification fibers in each group of the distinguishableidentification fibers is defined as a fiber count. At least one of thefiber counts corresponds to a taggant fiber count. The distinct featuresin each group of the distinguishable identification fibers and the oneor more taggant fiber counts are representative of at least one supplychain component of the fibers.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities ofingredients, properties such as molecular weight, reaction conditions,and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understoodas being modified in all instances by the term “about.”

It is to be understood that the mention of one or more process stepsdoes not preclude the presence of additional process steps before orafter the combined recited steps or intervening process steps betweenthose steps expressly identified. Moreover, the lettering of processsteps or ingredients is a convenient means for identifying discreteactivities or ingredients and the recited lettering can be arranged inany sequence, unless otherwise indicated.

As used herein the term “and/or,” when used in a list of two or moreitems, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself,or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed.For example, if a composition is described as containing components A,B, and/or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; Aand B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; orA, B, and C in combination.

The term “fibers”, as used herein, refers to thin flexible threadlikeobjects. Fibers can be natural fibers or man-made. The term “polymer”,as used herein refers to the base material from which the fibers aremade. Non-limiting examples of polymers include acrylic, modacrylic,aramid, nylon, polyester, polypropylene, rayon, polyacrylonitrile,polyethylene, PTFE, and cellulose acetate. The term “filament”, as usedherein, refers to a single fiber. The term “fiber band”, as used herein,refers to multiple fibers placed adjacent to each other along theirlengths such that the fibers remain untwisted or entangled and form asubstantially rectangular cross section with a high width-to-depthratio. Fiber bands are often formed to allow for effective crimping ofthe fibers and can be cut into a staple or processed as a continuousband, depending on the end use. Fiber bands are typically not woven orknitted into a fabric article unless first converted into staple to forma thread. Fibers can also be in the form of yarn. The term “yarn”, asused herein, refers to multiple fibers placed adjacent to each otheralong their lengths, often twisted or entangled together to improvefiber cohesiveness and performance, and typically forming asubstantially rounded cross section. Yarn can be processed as continuousstrands or cut into smaller lengths, depending on the end use.

Fibers can be identification fibers and/or standard fibers. The term“standard fibers”, as used herein, refers to fibers which aremanufactured for the primary purpose and use in producing articles.Standard fibers have not been purposefully manipulated to comprisedistinct features used to identify and track the standard fibers, yarn,a fiber band, and/or an article comprising standard fibers. The term“identification fibers”, as used herein, refers to the fibers havingdistinct features such that the identification fibers can be used toidentify and track the standard fibers, yarn, a fiber band, and/or anarticle comprising the standard fibers and the identification fibers.

The term “distinct features”, as used herein, refers to variances amongfibers that can be identified using imaging technology. Non-limitingexamples of distinct features include cross-section shapes,cross-section sizes, optical properties, and surface markings. The term“combination of distinct features”, as used herein, refers to the two ormore distinct features exhibited by an identification fiber. The term“distinguishable identification fibers”, as used herein, refers toidentification fibers having the same distinct feature or combination ofdistinct features. The term a “group of the distinguishableidentification fibers”, as used herein, refers to one or more filamentsof the distinguishable identification fibers. The term “referencefiber”, as used herein, refers to a particular distinguishableidentification fiber that can be used, for example, to calibratedistinct features, such as cross-section size, of other distinguishableidentification fibers. The identification fibers consist of all of thegroups of the distinguishable identification fibers.

The term “fiber counts”, as used herein, refers to the numbers of eachof the distinguishable identification fibers present in the fibers,yarn, fiber band, and/or article. The term “taggant fiber counts”, asused herein, refers to the collection of fiber counts for each of thedistinguishable identification fibers which can be used by one or moreentity (e.g., manufacturer) in a system for embedding and/or determiningstandard fibers, yarn, fiber band, and/or article supply chaininformation.

The term, “cross-section shapes”, as used herein, refers to the contoursof fibers when viewed on the plane cutting through the fibers at rightangles to their length. The term “taggant cross-section shapes”, as usedherein refers to a collection of cross-section shapes used by one ormore entity (e.g., manufacturer) in a system for embedding and/ordetermining standard fibers, yarn, and/or fiber band supply chaininformation. Reference cross-section shape refers to the cross-sectionshape of the reference fiber.

The term, “cross-section sizes”, as used herein, refers to thequantitative dimension of fibers when viewed on the plane cuttingthrough the fibers at right angles to their length. For a circularcross-section shape, the cross-section size can be the diameter of thecross-section. For a noncircular cross-section shape, the area of thecross-section can be determined and the cross-section size can becharacterized as the effective diameter. The effective diameter is thecorresponding diameter of a circular cross-section having the same area.For noncircular cross sections, the cross section size can also becharacterized by the circumcised diameter, defined as the diameter ofthe smallest circle that can completely encompass the cross section. Theterm “taggant cross-section sizes”, as used herein refers to acollection of cross-section sizes used by one or more entity (e.g.,manufacturer) in a system for embedding and/or determining standardfibers, yarn, and/or fiber band supply chain information. Referencecross-section size refers to the cross-section size of the referencefiber.

The term “majority of fibers”, as used herein, refers to greater than 50percent of the fibers in the yarn or fiber band based on the totalnumber of fibers.

The term “total identification fibers number”, as used herein, refers tothe sum of each of the identification fibers in the yarn or fiber band.The term “taggant total identification fibers number”, as used herein,refers to the total number of identification fibers used by one or moreentity (e.g., manufacturer) in a system for embedding and/or determiningfibers, yarn, and/or fiber band supply chain information.

The term “cellulose acetate”, as used herein, refers to an acetate esterof cellulose wherein the hydrogen in the hydroxyl groups of thecellulose glucose unit is replaced by acetyl groups through anacetylation reaction. In some embodiments, suitable cellulose acetatesmay have a degree of substitution less than about 3 acetyl groups perglucose unit, preferably in the range of 2.2 to about 2.8, and mostpreferably in the range of 2.4 to 2.7.

The terms, “cellulose acetate tow”, “acetate tow”, or “acetate tow band”as used herein, refers to a continuous, crimped fiber band comprising ofcellulose acetate fibers.

The term, “article”, as used herein, refers to a unit produced fromstandard fibers, yarn, and/or a fiber band, including other componentsand additives needed to meet the functional requirements of the intendeduse. Non-limiting examples include, fabrics and other textile products,non-wovens, absorbent products, filters, filter rods, cigarette filtersand liquid storage reservoirs. The term “article comprising fibers,yarn, or fiber bands”, as used herein, refers to the article comprisingthe fibers, yarn, or fiber bands with a recognition that, in someembodiments, significant physical changes can occur to the fibers, yarn,or fiber band when it is used to make an article.

The term, “filter”, as used herein refers to a semi-permeable fibrousmaterial. Non-limiting examples of filters include a filter rod, anditems made from a filter rod such as a cigarette filter. The term“filter rod”, as used herein, refers to a rod-like article, of anycross-sectional shape, produced from a fiber band and other componentsor additives, which can be subsequently used as a whole unit, or cutinto lengths to form multiple units, for filtration of a vapor stream.Filter rods can be used to filter tobacco products, for example,traditional cigarette filters and/or other applications for othertobacco products including heat-not-burn products. Filter rods can alsobe used for new products comprising tobacco and other ingredients suchas, for example, other plants or plant derivatives. Filter rods can beused to filter other plants and plant derivatives, with or withouttobacco present. Additionally filter rods can be used to filter anyvapor stream used to deliver an active ingredient such as ine-cigarette.

The term, “cigarette filter”, as used herein, refers to a component ofthe cigarette or other smoking device which removes or decreases one ormore elements from a smoke stream. The term cigarette filter is intendedto encompass the filter on any smoking device including the non-limitingexamples of a cigarette, a cigarette holder, a cigar, a cigar holder, apipe, a water pipe, a hookah, an electronic smoking device, aroll-your-own cigarette, a roll-your-own cigar, and a paper.

The term, “supply chain information” as used herein, refers toinformation regarding the production of the standard fibers, yarn,and/or fiber band and information regarding the distribution of thestandard fibers, yarn, and/or fiber band after its production. Supplychain information includes “supply chain components” such as, forexample, manufacturer, manufacture site, manufacture line, productionrun, production date, package, bale, customer, customer ship-tolocation, warehouses, freight carrier, and/or shipment paths or routes.Supply chain components can apply to fibers, yarn, fiber bands, and/orarticles.

The term, “manufacturer”, as used herein, refers to the entity thatproduces the standard fibers, yarn, and/or fiber band.

The term “manufacture site”, as used herein, refers to the geographiclocation or locations of the manufacturer, designated by any level ofspecificity including full address, continent, country, state, province,county, or city.

The term “manufacture line”, as used herein, refers to specific processequipment or set of equipment used by the manufacturer to produce thestandard fibers, yarn, and/or fiber band.

The term “production run”, as used herein, refers to a group or set ofsimilar or related goods that are produced by using a particular set ofmanufacturing procedures, processes, or conditions, and/or productspecifications.

The term “customer”, as used herein, refers to an entity to which thefibers, yarn, and/or fiber band is sold and shipped for furtherprocessing into an intermediate article or a finished product article;or an entity that purchases the yarn or the fiber band for resale.

The term, “ship-to location”, as used herein, refers to the geographiclocation of the customer designated for delivery of the fibers, yarn, orfiber band by any level of specificity including full address,continent, country, state, province, county, or city.

The term, “bale” as used herein, refers to a packaged unit of fiberbands, typically of a cubical shape, compressed to a high density, andwrapped, contained, and protected by packaging material.

The term, “warehouse” as used herein, refers to the geographicallocation of the warehouse designated for delivery of the fibers, yarn,and/or fiber band by any level of specificity including full address,continent, country, state, province, country, or city.

The term, “correlating”, as used herein refers to establishing therelationship between two or more pieces of information.

The term, “manufacturer specific taggants”, as used herein, refers tothe particular taggants incorporated into fibers, a yarn, and/or a fiberband by a particular manufacturer. The term, “manufacturer specifictaggant set” refers to the taggant cross-section shapes and/or taggantcross-section sizes associated with a particular manufacturer.

The term, “fibers are produced”, “producing fibers”, and “fiberproduction process”, as used herein, refers to the process steps ofspinning fibers up through the gathering of the fibers.

The term, “identification fibers are packaged”, as used herein, refersto the process steps of transferring identification fibers from thespinning machine and packaging the identification fibers, for example,onto a spool or into a bale. The identification fibers wouldsubsequently need to be removed from the package in order to beincorporated into fibers, a yarn, or a fiber band comprising standardfibers.

The term, “spinneret hole geometry”, as used herein, refers to theoverall structure of the spinneret hole which can be described mostcompletely and generally, although not exclusively, by the cross-sectionshape and size of the hole at any point in its line through thespinneret. The term, “distinguishable spinneret hole”, as used herein,refers to the spinneret hole with a distinguishable spinneret holegeometry. Each of the distinguishable identification fibers are producedusing the same distinguishable spinneret hole geometry. The term“reference spinneret holes”, as used herein, refers to the spinneretholes used to produce the reference fibers.

The term “fiber sample”, as used herein, refers to the item comprisingfibers, in any physical form, being analyzed using imaging technology.The fiber sample can comprise a portion of a set of fibers, yarn, afiber band, or an article which has been prepared for image analysis.

The terms, “imaging technology”, and “image analysis techniques” as usedherein, refer to the equipment and software used to detect and quantifydifferences in reflection, absorption, transmission, and emittance ofelectromagnetic radiation. Imaging technology encompasses bothelectromagnetic radiation level detection and automated shape and/orsize recognition.

The term, “fibers are incorporated into a matrix”, as used herein refersto the immobilizing at least some of the fibers, yarn, a fiber band, oran article, typically in a polymer that will not interfere with testing.

Fibers, yarn, or a fiber band comprise individual fibers. The materialfrom which the fibers are made is not particularly limiting. The fiberscan comprise, for example, acrylic, modacrylic, aramid, nylon,polyester, polypropylene, rayon, polyacrylonitrile, polyethylene, PTFE,or cellulose acetate. In one aspect, the fibers comprise celluloseacetates, cellulose triacetates, cellulose propionates, cellulosebutyrates, cellulose acetate-propionates, cellulose acetate-butyrates,cellulose propionate-butyrates, cellulose acetate-phthalates, starchacetates, acrylonitriles, vinyl chlorides, vinyl esters, vinyl ethers,and the like, any derivative thereof, any copolymer thereof, and anycombination thereof. In one aspect, the fibers comprise celluloseacetate. In one aspect, the fibers comprise natural fibers such as, forexample, cotton, hemp, and/or silk.

In one aspect, the fibers, yarn, or a fiber band comprise standardfibers and one or more identification fibers. Fibers are typicallyproduced from a polymer. In one aspect, one or more of theidentification fibers comprise the same polymer as the standard fibers.In another aspect, one or more of the identification fibers comprise adifferent polymer than the standard fibers band.

The size of the individual fibers is not particularly limiting. The sizecan be given in terms of effective diameter, and in one aspect, theeffective diameter of the fibers range, for example, from 0.1 μm to 1000μm, 1 μm to 500 μm, 1 μm to 100 μm, 1 μm to 30 μm, 10 μm to 1000 μm, 10μm to 500 μm, 10 μm to 100 μm, 10 μm to 30 μm. In one aspect, thestandard fibers comprise cellulose acetate for which size is often givenin terms of denier per filament (dpf) which is defined as the weight, ingrams, of a single filament 9000 meters in length. In one aspect, thesize of the fibers ranges from 0.5 to 1000 dpf; 0.5 to 500 dpf; 0.5 to100; 0.5 to 5 dpf; 0.5 to 30 dpf; 0.5 to 10 dpf; 1 to 1000 dpf; 1 to 500dpf; 1 to 100 dpf; 1 to 30 dpf; 1 to 10 dpf; or 1 to 5 dpf. In oneaspect, the dpf of the fibers ranges from, for example, 1 to 30 dpf, 1to 20 dpf, 1 to 10 dpf, 2 to 30 dpf, 2 to 20 dpf, or 2 to 10 dpf.

The number of fibers making up a fiber band is not particularlylimiting. In one aspect, the number of fibers in a fiber band can rangefrom 10 to 50,000. In other non-limiting examples, the number of fibersin a fiber band ranges from 10 to 40,000; 10 to 30,000; 10 to 20,000; 10to 10,000; 10 to 1000; 100 to 50,000; 100 to 40,000; 100 to 30,000; 100to 20,000; 100 to 10,000; 100 to 1000; 200 to 50,000; 200 to 40,000; 200to 30,000; 200 to 20,000; 200 to 10,000; 200 to 1000; 1000 to 50,000;1000 to 40,000; 1000 to 30,000; 1000 to 20,000; 1000 to 10,000; 5000 to50,000; 5000 to 40,000; 5000 to 30,000; 5000 to 20,000; 5000 to 10,000;10,000 to 50,000; 10,000 to 40,000; 10,000 to 30,000; or 10,000 to20,000.

In one aspect, essentially all of the fibers in the yarn or fiber bandare identification fibers. In this aspect, the identification fibers canbe distinguishable from standard fibers in a different yarn or fiberband (and will be combined with standard fibers to produce an article)or the identification fibers can be used interchangeably with standardfibers for the production of articles. In another aspect, one or moreidentification fibers are distinguishable from the majority of fibers inthe same yarn or fiber band. In yet another aspect, the number ofidentification fibers ranges from 0.001 to 100 percent of the fibers; or0.01 to 50 percent of the fibers; or 0.01 to 25 percent of the fibers;or 0.01 to 10 percent of the fibers; or 0.01 to 5 percent of the fibers;or 0.01 to 1 percent of the fibers, each based on the total number offibers. In another aspect, the number of identification fibers rangesfrom 0.01 to 100 percent of the fibers; or 1 to 100 percent of thefibers; or 25 to 100 percent of the fibers; or 50 to 100 percent of thefibers; or 30 to 80 percent of the fibers.

Each of the identification fibers exhibit at least one distinct feature.In one aspect, the distinct features can include cross-section shapes.In another aspect, the distinct features can include cross-sectionsizes. In another aspect, the distinct features can includecross-section shapes and cross-section sizes. In one aspect, distinctfeatures are representative of at least one supply chain component offibers, yarn, fiber band, and/or an article. In one aspect, the distinctfeatures in each group of the distinguishable identification fibers andthe fiber counts are representative of at least one supply chaincomponent of fibers, yarn, fiber band, and/or an article.

In one aspect, the identification fibers exhibit 1 to 50 distinctfeatures. In other aspects, the number of distinct features ranges from1 to 20, 1 to 15, or 1 to 10, or 1 to 5, 1 to 3, 2 to 50, 2 to 20, 2 to15, 2 to 10, 2 to 5, 3 to 50, 3 to 20, 3 to 15, 3 to 10, 3 to 5, 4 to50, 4 to 20, 4 to 15, or 4 to 10.

In one aspect, fiber cross-section shapes can be used as a taggant. Inone aspect, distinct features comprise one or more taggant cross-sectionshapes. Cross-section shapes vary such that either the human eye or animage analysis technique can differentiate shapes. For example, twoshapes are significantly different when compared to the variabilityamong the fibers of either cross-section shape. In one aspect, fibers,yarn, or a fiber band comprises one or more identification fibers withone or more taggant cross-section shapes each. In one aspect, the numberof taggant cross-section shapes ranges from 1 to 50. In other aspects,the number of taggant cross-section shapes ranges from 1 to 25; 1 to 20;1 to 10; 1 to 5; 1 to 4; 1 to 3; 2 to 20; 2 to 10; 2 to 5; or 3 to 10.

In one aspect, the number of identification fibers with distinctfeatures which comprise one or more taggant cross-section shapes rangesfrom 0.01 to 100 percent of the fibers; or 0.01 to 50 percent of thefibers; for 0.01 to 25 percent of the fibers; for 0.01 to 10 percent ofthe fibers; or 0.01 to 5 percent of the fibers; or 0.01 to 1 percent ofthe fibers.

Many cross-section shapes have been commercialized for various fibertypes, materials, and processes. These shapes are most typicallygoverned and created by altering the hole geometry in the extrusion jetor spinneret used in the fiber production process. In a dry spinningprocess, like that of cellulose acetate in an acetone “dope” solution, anumber of unique fiber cross-section shapes can be obtained through theuse of various spinneret hole geometries. The variety anddistinctiveness of the cross-section shapes are enhanced due to theshrinkage of the cross section as the acetone evaporates. Many of theseshapes are sufficiently unique and differentiated such that they can beeasily identified and/or counted in yarn or fiber bands, and/or acetatetow bands, either by the human eye with the aid of magnification, orwith automated image analysis techniques.

For some fiber applications, the fiber cross-section shape is notcritical to the functionality of an article made from the fibers, yarn,or fiber band. For these applications, the number of taggantcross-section shapes and the number of identification fibers havingdifferent taggant cross-section shapes are not particularly limited. Forother fiber applications, however, the fiber cross-section shape is usedto impart functionality to an article made from the fibers, yarn, orfiber band. For these applications, the number of taggant cross-sectionshapes and/or the number of identification fibers having differenttaggant cross-section shapes may be smaller. One skilled in the art canselect the number of taggant cross-section shapes and the number ofidentification fibers having distinct features of taggant cross-sectionshapes so as to enable determination of the supply chain informationwithout significantly impacting article properties.

In the application of filter rods and/or cigarette filters comprisingacetate tow, the total number of identification fibers may be limited bythe impact of the taggant cross-section shape on final productperformance, particularly yield, defined as the pressure drop that canbe obtained for a certain weight of product in the filter. By far, themost common shape used for acetate tow in cigarette filtration is the Ycross section (made from an equilateral triangular spinneret holegeometry) and the most common shape used for acetate yarn is multi-lobed(made from a circular or octagonal spinneret hole geometry). As thenumber of non-Y shape fibers increases, the impact (positive ornegative) on yield may materially impact article functionality. Onemethod, among others, for compensating for this yield shift is adjustingthe average denier per filament (dpf) of the fibers.

Non-limiting examples of cross-section shapes include crescent, dogbone,triangle, square, pacman, multilobe, X-shaped, Y-shaped, H-shaped.Non-limiting examples of spinneret hole geometries used to make variouscross-section shapes include triangle, circle, rectangle, square,flattened round, trapezoid, hexagon, pentagon, and D-shaped. In anotheraspect, spinneret hole geometry is selected from the group consisting ofcircle, rectangle, square, flattened round, trapezoid hexagon, pentagon,and D-shaped.

The disclosed embodiments may, for example, enable the use of fibercross-section sizes as a taggant. In one aspect, distinct featurescomprise one or more taggant cross-section sizes each. Cross-sectionsizes vary such that either the human eye or an image analysis techniquecan differentiate sizes. The yarn or fiber band can have one or moreidentification fibers with one or more taggant cross-section sizes. Thenumber of taggant cross-section sizes ranges from, for example, 1 to 50,1 to 25; 1 to 20; 1 to 10; 1 to 5; 1 to 4; 1 to 3; 2 to 20; 2 to 10; 2to 5; or 3 to 10.

In one aspect, the number of identification fibers with distinctfeatures which comprise taggant cross-section sizes ranges from 0.01 to100 percent of the fibers; or 0.01 to 50 percent of the fibers; for 0.01to 25 percent of the fibers; for 0.01 to 10 percent of the fibers; or0.01 to 5 percent of the fibers; or 0.01 to 1 percent of the fibers,based on the total number of fibers.

In one aspect, one or more identification fibers have one or moretaggant cross-section sizes that are larger than the averagecross-section size of the standard fibers. In one aspect, the ratio ofthe larger taggant cross-section size to the average cross-section sizeranges from 20:1 to 1.5:1, or 10:1 to 1.5:1, or 5:1 to 1.5:1, or 3:1 to1.5:1, 20:1 to 1.3:1, or 10:1 to 1.3:1, or 5:1 to 1.3:1, or 3:1 to1.3:1, or 20:1 to 1.1:1, or 10:1 to 1.1:1, or 5:1 to 1.1:1, or 3:1 to1.1:1. In one aspect, one or more identification fibers havecross-section sizes that are smaller than the average cross-section sizeof the standard fibers. In one aspect, the ratio of the smallercross-section sizes to the average cross-section size ranges from 1:20to 1:1.5, or 1:10 to 1:1.5, or 1:5 to 1:1.5, or 1:2 to 1:1.5, or 1:20 to1:1.3, or 1:10 to 1:1.3, or 1:5 to 1:1.3, or 1:2 to 1:1.3, or 1:20 to1:1.1, or 1:10 to 1:1.1, or 1:5 to 1:1.1, or 1:2 to 1:1.1. Thecross-section sizes can be determined by either the effective diameteror the circumcised diameter.

The number or percentage of identification fibers with taggantcross-section sizes that can be incorporated into a multiple-filamentproduct, like acetate tow for cigarette filters, is potentially limitedby a few factors. First, the number may be limited by the impact of thediameter differences on final product performance, particularly yield.This yield shift could be compensated by adjusting the average denierper filament (dpf) of the standard fibers. Second, the number may bedictated by the capability of the analytical technique to accuratelycount individual fibers of unique cross-section diameter. If thecorrelation among the distinct features and the manufacturer-specifictaggants includes the number of identification fibers with one or morecross-section sizes, discrete gaps in filament number or percentage maybe desired in order to facilitate number differentiation.

In one aspect, each of the identification fibers exhibit at least onedistinct feature. In one aspect, the identification fibers consist of 1to 50 groups of the distinguishable identification fibers with eachgroup of distinguishable identification fibers being formed by theidentification fibers having the same distinct feature or the samecombination of distinct features. In another aspect the number of groupsof distinguishable identification fibers ranges from 1 to 25, 1 to 15, 1to 10, 2 to 25, 2 to 20, 2 to 15, 3 to 24, or 3 to 15.

Groups of distinguishable identification fibers can contain one or moreidentification fibers having the same distinct feature for the samecombination of distinct features. The number of the identificationfibers in each group of the distinguishable identification fibers isdefined as a fiber count. The fiber count is the actual number of fibersin each group of distinguishable identification fibers. The fiber countcorresponds to a taggant fiber count. One skilled in the art recognizesthat if there were no variability in manufacturing and no variability indetection, the fiber count would always equal its corresponding taggantfiber count. A robust system for building code into fibers must accountfor the fact that there is variability. One skilled in the artrecognizes that if more than one taggant fiber count is to be used, thetwo or more taggant fiber counts must be different enough to allow fornormal variation in the manufacture and detection of identificationfibers and provide a high probability of a correct matching of fibercounts to taggant fiber counts. For example, if the normal variation infiber counts is +−20%, taggant fiber counts of 20, 40, and 70 mayprovide correct matching with very high probability.

In one aspect, the fibers, yarn, or fiber band can have taggant fibercounts which correspond to the numbers of fibers (e.g., fiber counts)for each group of distinguishable identification fiber that can bepresent in the fibers, yarn, or fiber band. The taggant fiber counts ofeach group of distinguishable identification fiber can be the same ordifferent. In one aspect, taggant fiber counts can be correlated tosupply chain information. Also, the number of taggant fiber counts ofeach group of the distinguishable identification fibers can be the sameor different. The taggant fiber counts and the number of taggant fibercounts are selected, in part, based upon the ability to manufacture andreliably detect discrete numbers of each group of the distinguishableidentification fibers. The taggant fiber counts can also be limited bythe maximum number of identification fibers desired. In one aspect, thenumber of taggant fiber counts ranges from 1 to 25, 1 to 15, 1 to 10, 1to 5, 2 to 20, 2 to 15, 2 to 10, 3 to 20, 3 to 15, 3 to 10, 4 to 20, 4to 15, or 4 to 10.

In one aspect, the distinguishable identification fibers can eachexhibit one distinct feature, wherein each type of distinct feature isunique. For example, a first identification fiber can have a taggantcross-section shape, a second identification fiber can have a taggantcross-section size, and a third identification fiber can have a taggantoptical property.

In another aspect, distinguishable identification fibers can eachexhibit one distinct feature wherein each type of distinct feature isidentical. For example a first identification fiber can have a firsttaggant cross-section shape, a second identification fiber can have asecond taggant cross-section shape, a third identification fiber canhave third taggant cross-section shape, etc.

In another aspect, distinguishable identification fibers can eachexhibit one distinct feature wherein the types of distinct features canbe identical or different. For example, a first identification fiber canhave a first taggant optical property, a second identification fiber canhave a first taggant cross-section size, a third identification fibercan have a second taggant optical property, and a fourth identificationfiber can have a first taggant cross-section shape.

In one aspect, each group of distinguishable identification fibers canexhibit one distinct feature or the same combination of distinctfeatures. For example, with 3 distinct features comprising a taggantcross-section shape, a taggant cross-section size, and a taggant opticalproperty, the 7 possible groups of distinguishable identification fibershave the following distinct features: (1) identification fibers havingtaggant cross-section shape, (2) identification fibers having taggantcross-section size, (3) identification fibers having taggant opticalproperty, (4) identification fibers having taggant cross-section shapeat taggant cross-section size, (5) identification fiber having taggantcross-section shape with taggant optical property, (6) identificationfibers having taggant cross-section size with taggant optical property,and (7) identification fibers having taggant cross-section shape attaggant cross-section size with taggant optical property.

The number of taggant fiber counts can be varied to produce differentcodes. For example, if any number from 1-25 specific distinguishableidentification fibers can be present in fibers, yarn, or a fiber band(e.g. the fiber count for that group), the number of taggant fibercounts for that group of distinguishable identification fiber is 25 with1-25 distinguishable identification fibers in each taggant fiber count.Alternatively, if either 10, 25, or 50 of a group of distinguishableidentification fiber can be present in fibers, yarn, or a fiber band,the number of taggant fiber counts for that group of distinguishableidentification fibers is 3 with 10, 25, or 50 of that specificdistinguishable identification fibers as the possible taggant fibercount. The taggant fiber counts and numbers of taggant fiber counts foreach group of distinct identification fibers give an additional elementthat can be correlated to supply chain information.

In another aspect, the distinguishable identification fibers comprisereference fibers. Reference fibers typically have a referencecross-section shape which is different from all of the otheridentification fibers and the standard fibers. Reference fibers alsohave a reference cross-section size. In one aspect, the number ofreference fibers is larger than the fiber count of any other group ofdistinguishable identification fibers. In one aspect, the number ofreference fibers is larger than the sum of the fiber counts of all ofthe other groups of distinguishable identification fibers. Thecross-section sizes of distinguishable identification fibers can becharacterized relative to the reference cross-section size. In oneaspect, a group of distinguishable identification fibers can exhibit arelative cross-section size which can be smaller than, the same as, orlarger than the reference cross-section size. In another aspect, a groupof distinguishable identification fibers can exhibit a relativecross-section size which can be smaller than or larger than thereference cross-section size.

In one aspect, one or more identification fibers have one or moretaggant cross-section sizes that are larger than the referencecross-section size. In one aspect, the ratio of the larger taggantcross-section sizes to the reference cross-section size ranges from 20:1to 1.5:1, or 10:1 to 1.5:1, or 5:1 to 1.5:1, or 3:1 to 1.5:1, 20:1 to1.3:1, or 10:1 to 1.3:1, or 5:1 to 1.3:1, or 3:1 to 1.3:1, or 20:1 to1.1:1, or 10:1 to 1.1:1, or 5:1 to 1.1:1, or 3:1 to 1.1:1. In oneaspect, one or more identification fibers have cross-section sizes thatare smaller than the reference cross-section size. In one aspect, theratio of the smaller cross-section sizes to the reference cross-sectionsize ranges from 1:20 to 1:1.5, or 1:10 to 1:1.5, or 1:5 to 1:1.5, or1:2 to 1:1.5, or 1:20 to 1:1.3, or 1:10 to 1:1.3, or 1:5 to 1:1.3, or1:2 to 1:1.3, or 1:20 to 1:1.1, or 1:10 to 1:1.1, or 1:5 to 1:1.1, or1:2 to 1:1.1.

An article can comprise the fibers, yarn, and/or fiber band. The articleis not particularly limited. Non-limiting examples of articlescomprising the fibers, yarn, and/or the fiber band include fabrics andother textile products, non-wovens, absorbent products, filters, filterrods, cigarette filters, liquid storage reservoirs, paper and/orcurrency. In one aspect, the article comprises a filter rod. In anotheraspect, the article comprises a cigarette filter. In one aspect, thearticle comprises a medical device such as a medical cloth or bandage.In another aspect, the article comprises a wicking device.

In one aspect, the fibers, yarn, or fiber band has determinable supplychain information. The supply chain information can includemanufacturer, manufacture site, manufacturing line, production run,production date, package, bale, warehouse, customer, and/or ship-tolocation. In one aspect, the distinct features in each group of thedistinguishable identification fibers and the fiber counts arerepresentative of at least one supply chain component of the acetate towband.

In one aspect, the supply chain information comprises supply chaincomponents. In one aspect, at least one supply chain component comprisesa manufacturer of the standard fibers, a manufacture site of thestandard fibers, a manufacturing line of the standard fibers, aproduction run of the standard fibers, a production date of the standardfibers, a package of the standard fibers, a warehouse of the standardfibers, a customer of the standard fibers, a ship-to location of thestandard fibers, a manufacturer of a yarn or fiber band comprising thestandard fibers, a manufacturing site of the yarn or fiber band, amanufacturing line of the yarn or fiber band, a production run of theyarn or fiber band, a production date of the yarn or fiber band, apackage of the yarn or fiber band, a warehouse of the yarn or fiberband, a customer of the yarn or fiber band, a ship-to location of theyarn or fiber band, a manufacturer of an article comprising the standardfibers, a manufacture site of the article, a manufacturing line of thearticle, a production run of the article, a production date of thearticle, a package of the article, a warehouse of the article, acustomer of the article, or a ship-to location of the article.

In another aspect at least one supply chain component comprises themanufacturer of the fiber band. In one aspect, the supply chaincomponent comprises the manufacture site of the fiber band. In oneaspect the supply chain component comprises the manufacturing line ofthe fiber band. The manufacturing line of the fiber band is themanufacturing line on which the fiber band was produced. In one aspect,the supply chain component comprises the production run of the fiberband. The production run of the fiber band is the production run withinwhich the fiber band was produced. In one aspect, the supply chaincomponent comprises the production date of the fiber band. Theproduction date of the fiber band is the production date on which thefiber band was produced. In one aspect, the supply chain componentcomprises the bale of the fiber band. In one aspect, the supply chaincomponent comprises the warehouse of the fiber band. The warehouse ofthe fiber band is the warehouse to which the manufacturer plans to sendor has sent the fiber band. In one aspect, the supply chain componentcomprises the customer of the fiber band. The customer of the fiber bandis the customer to whom the manufacturer plans to send or has sent thefiber band. In one aspect, the supply chain component comprises theship-to location of the fiber band. The ship-to location of the fiberband is the specific geographic location to which the manufacturer plansto send or has sent the fiber band.

The fibers, yarn, or fiber band can comprise determinable supply chaininformation. The possible number of groups of distinguishableidentification fibers for identification fibers exhibiting, for example,1-50 distinct features is great. The following non-limiting examples areintended to (1) illustrate the vast array of distinguishableidentification fibers possible based upon a relatively low number ofand/or combinations of distinct features and (2) illustrate variedapproaches by which the distinct features in each group of thedistinguishable identification fibers and the fiber counts can berepresentative of at least one supply chain component of the fibers,yarn, or fiber band.

Although not particularly limited, selection of the distinct features,combinations of distinct features, and coding system can be influencedby several factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, easeof manufacturing identification fibers, yarn, and/or fiber bandscomprising identification fibers; ease of detecting identificationfibers, either in the fibers, yarn, the fiber band, or in an articlecomprising the fibers, yarn or the fiber band; impact of theidentification fibers on performance characteristics of an articlecomprising the fibers, yarn, or the fiber band; and ease of counteringthe track and trace objective.

The disclosed embodiments may also allow for flexible implementation ofa coding system for correlating the identification fibers exhibitingdistinct features and/or combinations of distinct features, one or moregroups of distinguishable identification fibers and correspondingtaggant fiber counts, as well as the number of taggant fiber counts tosupply chain information. Described below are non-limiting examples ofhow coding systems can be readily implemented based upon the abovedescribed identification fibers.

In a non-limiting example, standard fibers are medium-sized circles andfour manufacturer-specific taggants are used. A first taggantcross-section size, a second taggant cross-section size, a first taggantcross-section shape, and a second taggant cross-section shape. Themanufacturer specific taggant cross-section sizes are small and largeand the manufacturer specific taggant cross-section shapes are squaresand triangles. In this example, eight possible groups of distinguishableidentification fibers can be produced: small-sized circles (an exampleof taggant cross-section size), large-sized circles, small-sized squares(an example of the combination of taggant cross-section size and taggantcross-section shape), medium-sized squares (an example of taggantcross-section shape), large-sized squares, small-sized triangles,medium-sized triangles, and large-sized triangles. For example, whenusing a code comprised of one circle-shaped, one square-shaped, and onetriangle-shaped identification fiber, eighteen sets of distinguishableidentifications fibers are possible. If, additionally, one of twotaggant colors are present for each identification fiber, the number ofdistinguishable identification fibers grows to 16 and the number ofcombinations grows to 144 (8 optical combinations per size/shapecombinations of identification fibers times 18 size/shape combinationsof identification fibers).

The example as described above also illustrates the selection of codingsystems for ease of detection of each group of distinguishableidentification fibers. The example coding system requires that one andonly one of each taggant cross-section shape be detected in the fiberband. Once each taggant cross-section shape has been found, detectionand analysis can end with confidence that all groups of distinguishableidentification fibers present have been found.

In a another example, if one circle, one square, and one triangle of theoriginal 8 distinguishable identification fibers above are present inone of 3 taggant fiber counts (e.g., taggant fiber counts of 10, 20, or30), the number of possible sets grows to 486.

The method one uses for including distinct features, combinations ofdistinct features, taggant fiber counts, and/or number of taggant fibercounts into a code is not particularly limiting. One skilled in the artcan readily see that there exists a large number of ways to generateseveral sets and/or codes based upon a relatively small number ofdistinct features, groups of distinguishable identification fibers,taggant fiber counts, and/or number of taggant fiber counts.

In a second embodiment, an acetate tow band comprises fibers. The fiberscomprise standard fibers and identification fibers and the standardfibers comprise cellulose acetate. Each of the identification fibersexhibits at least one distinct feature. The identification fibersconsist of one or more groups of distinguishable identification fibers,each group of distinguishable identification fibers being formed by theidentification fibers having the same distinct feature or the samecombination of distinct features. The number of identification fibers ineach group of distinguishable identification fibers is defined as afiber count. At least one of the fiber counts corresponds to the taggantfiber count. The distinct features in each group of distinguishableidentification fibers and the one or more taggant fiber counts arerepresentative of at least one supply chain component of the acetate towband.

The acetate tow band of the second embodiment encompasses acetate towbands comprising the fibers with any combination of attributes disclosedabove. Specifically, the identification fiber composition, the sizes andnumbers of fibers, the percentage of identification fibers in a fiberband, the distinct features, number of distinct features, combinationsof distinct features, groups of distinguishable identification fibers,fiber counts, the taggant cross-section shapes and number ofidentification fibers exhibiting the taggant cross-section shapes, thetaggant cross-section sizes and number of identification fibersexhibiting the taggant cross-section sizes, the reference fibers, thetaggant fiber counts, the supply chain information, and the non-limitingcoding/correlation systems apply to the acetate tow band of the secondembodiment.

In one aspect the identification fibers comprise cellulose acetate. Inone aspect, the acetate tow band consists essentially of celluloseacetate.

In a third embodiment, a filter comprises an acetate tow band comprisingfibers. The fibers comprise standard fibers comprising cellulose acetateand identification fibers. Each of the identification fibers exhibits atleast one distinct feature. The identification fibers consist of one ormore groups of distinguishable identification fibers, each group of thedistinguishable identification fibers being formed by the identificationfibers having the same distinct feature or the same combination ofdistinct features. The number of the identification fibers in each groupof the distinguishable identification fibers is defined as a fibercount. At least one of the fiber counts corresponds to the taggant fibercount. The distinct features in each group of distinguishableidentification fibers and the one or more taggant fiber counts arerepresentative of at least one supply chain component of the acetate towband.

The filter of the third embodiment encompasses filters comprising theacetate tow band of the second embodiment which comprises fibers withany combination of attributes disclosed above. Specifically, theidentification fiber composition, the sizes and numbers of fibers, thepercentage of identification fibers in a fiber band, the distinctfeatures, number of distinct features, combinations of distinctfeatures, groups of distinguishable identification fibers, fiber counts,the taggant cross-section shapes and number of identification fibersexhibiting the taggant cross-section shapes, the taggant cross-sectionsizes and number of identification fibers exhibiting the taggantcross-section sizes, the reference fibers, the taggant fiber counts, thesupply chain information, and the non-limiting coding/correlationsystems apply to the filter of the third embodiment.

A fourth embodiment provides a method for making a fiber band. The fiberband comprises identification fibers and standard fibers. The methodcomprises (a) obtaining identification fibers; (b) obtaining standardfibers and (c) combining the standard fibers and identification fibersinto a fiber band. The identification fibers consist of one or moregroups of distinguishable identification fibers, each group ofdistinguishable identification fibers being formed by the identificationfibers having the same distinct feature or the same combination ofdistinct features. A number of the identification fibers in each groupof the distinguishable identification fibers is defined as a fibercount. At least one of the fiber counts corresponds to the taggant fibercount. The distinct features in each group of the distinguishableidentification fibers and the one or more taggant fiber counts arerepresentative of at least one supply chain component of the fibers.

One aspect of the fourth embodiment is a method of making an acetate towband comprising fibers. The fibers comprise identification fibers andstandard fibers comprising cellulose acetate. The method comprises: (a)producing the identification fibers on a first fiber production process;(b) producing the standard fibers on a second fiber production process;and (c) combining the identification fibers and the standard fibers intoan acetate tow band. Each of the identification fibers exhibits at leastone distinct feature. The identification fibers consist of one or moregroups of distinguishable identification fibers, each group ofdistinguishable identification fibers being formed by the identificationfibers having the same distinct feature or the same combination ofdistinct features. The number of the identification fibers in each groupof the distinguishable identification fibers is defined as a fibercount. At least one of the fiber counts corresponds to the taggant fibercount. The distinct features in each group of the distinguishableidentification fibers and the one or more taggant fiber counts arerepresentative of at least one supply chain component of the acetate towband.

The method for making a fiber band encompasses making a fiber bandcomprising the fibers with any combination of attributes disclosedabove. Specifically, the fiber composition, the sizes and numbers offibers, the percentage of identification fibers in a fiber band, thedistinct features, number of distinct features, combinations of distinctfeatures, groups of distinguishable identification fibers, fiber counts,the taggant cross-section shapes and number of identification fibersexhibiting the taggant cross-section shapes, the taggant cross-sectionsizes and number of identification fibers exhibiting the taggantcross-section sizes, the reference fibers, the taggant fiber counts, thesupply chain information, and the non-limiting coding/correlationsystems apply to the method of making a fiber band of the fourthembodiment.

In one aspect, at least a portion of the standard fibers are produced ona fiber production process. In another aspect, standard fibers arereceived from a third party. Obtaining the identification fiberscomprises at least one of (i) producing at least a portion of theidentification fibers on the standard fibers' fiber production process,(ii) producing at least a portion of the identification fibers on aprocess distinct from the standard fibers' fiber production process, or(iii) receiving at least a portion of the identification fibers from athird party.

In one aspect, the identification fibers are coproduced with thestandard fibers and all of the fibers making up a fiber band are spunand combined directly downstream of the fiber production process. Oneskilled in the art will recognize that this can be done by impartingdistinct features to groups of identification fibers, such as distinctcross-section shapes or cross-section sizes imparted to a portion of thefibers from a given spinneret or a given spinning cabinet in the fiberproduction line. In another aspect, distinct features can be uniformlydispersed throughout the fiber band by imparting distinct features tosome or all of the fibers uniformly throughout the production line. Inone aspect, all of the distinguishable spinneret holes are contained ina single spinneret.

In another aspect, the identification fibers are produced and packagedseparately from the standard fibers and the identification fibers arecombined with the standard fibers to produce a fiber band. The standardfibers may also have been packaged before combining with theidentification fibers, or the identification fibers may be combined withthe standard fibers before packaging of the fiber band.

The spinning process used for producing the fibers is not particularlylimited. In one aspect, the fibers are produced using dry spinning,solution spinning, melt spinning, electro spinning, gel spinning,multi-component spinning, melt blowing, and/or solution blowing. Inanother aspect, the fibers are produced using dry spinning, solutionspinning, melt spinning, electro spinning, gel spinning, and/ormulti-component spinning. In a further aspect, the fibers comprisecellulose acetate and are produced using dry spinning.

In one aspect, the distinct features comprise taggant cross-sectionshapes and/or taggant cross-section sizes. In one aspect, the number ofidentification fibers ranges from 0.01 to 50 percent of fibers, based onthe total of identification fibers and standard fibers. In otherexamples of the number of identification fibers ranges from 0.01 to 25percent, 0.01 to 10 percent, or 0.01 to 5 percent of the fibers.

In one aspect, the distinct features comprise taggant cross-sectionshapes. The taggant cross-section shapes are produced using spinneretdesign and process conditions including spinneret hole geometry, draftratio, and/or mass transfer rates. One skilled in the art of fiberproduction recognizes how each of these factors can be manipulated toimpact taggant cross-section shape. For example, spinneret holes canvary in shape from non-limiting examples of circular, square,triangular, pentagon, octagon, half circle, and three-quarter circle. Inone aspect, at least a portion of the spinneret hole geometries areselected from the group consisting of triangle, circle, rectangle,square, flattened round, trapezoid, hexagon, pentagon, and D-shaped. Inanother aspect, at least a portion of the spinneret hole geometries areselected from the group consisting of circle, rectangle square,flattened round, trapezoid hexagon, pentagon, and D-shaped.

The draft ratio can also impact the shape. Finally, in spinningprocesses that include the mass transfer of a solvent or other materialfrom the polymer of the fiber, one skilled in the art recognizes thatprocess conditions which impact the rate of mass transfer, such astemperature and gas flow, can impact taggant cross-section shape.

In one aspect, the distinct features comprise taggant cross-sectionsizes. The taggant cross-section sizes are produced using design andprocess conditions including spinneret hole geometry, extrusion flowrate, draft ratio, and/or solids level. When each of the other designand process conditions is held constant, one skilled in the artrecognizes the impact of a change in one factor on taggant cross-sectionsize. For example taggant cross-section size increases with increasedspinneret hole size. Taggant cross-section size increases with increasedextrusion rate. Taggant cross-section size decreases with increaseddraft ratio. Finally, taggant cross-section size increases withincreased solids.

In one aspect, the identification fibers consist of 1 to 50 groups ofdistinguishable identification fibers, each group of the distinguishableidentification fibers being formed by the identification fibers havingthe same distinct feature or combination of distinct features. Thenumber of the identification fibers in each group of the distinguishableidentification fibers is defined as a fiber count. The distinct featuresin each group of the distinguishable identification fibers and the fibercounts are representative of at least one supply chain component of theacetate tow band.

In one aspect, the identification fibers are produced usingdistinguishable spinneret holes, each group of the distinguishablespinneret holes being formed by spinneret holes having the samedistinguishable spinneret hole geometry. Each group of thedistinguishable identification fibers are produced using a correspondinggroup of the distinguishable spinneret holes. There is a one-to-onerelationship between a specific distinguishable spinneret hole geometryand a specific distinguishable identification fiber produced using thespecific distinguishable spinneret hole geometry. The number of each ofthe distinguishable spinneret holes used to make a corresponding groupof distinguishable identification fibers is equal to the fiber count forthe corresponding group of distinguishable identification fibers.

In one aspect the number of groups of the distinguishable identificationfibers ranges from 1 to 25, 1 to 15, 1 to 10, 2 to 20, 2 to 15, 3 to 20,and 3 to 15.

In one aspect, distinguishable identification fibers comprise areference fiber. The reference fibers comprises a referencecross-section size and a reference cross-section shape. The referencefibers are produced using distinguishable spinneret holes consisting ofreference spinneret holes. In one aspect, the number of reference fibersis larger than the fiber count of each other group of thedistinguishable identification fibers. In one aspect, the number ofreference fibers is larger than the sum of the fiber counts of all otherof the distinguishable identification fibers.

The reference fibers can serve to differentiate, for example, large andsmall sizes of the same cross-section shape. In one aspect, the geometryof the distinguishable spinneret holes is selected relative to thegeometry of the reference spinneret hole. In one aspect, thedistinguishable identification fibers, excluding the reference fibers,exhibit taggant cross-section sizes either smaller than, the same as, orlarger than the reference cross-section size as determined by effectivediameter.

In one aspect the number of reference fibers is selected such that thetotal number of all distinguishable identification fibers equals ataggant total identification fiber number.

The spinneret configuration for producing identification fibers is notparticularly limiting. In one aspect, all of the identification fibersare produced from a single spinneret or from multiple spinnerets in asingle spinning cabinet Such a configuration can concentrate theidentification fibers in a single region of the tow band or article,depending on the band and/or article production arrangement, allowingfor more efficient and effective location and characterization of theidentification fibers. In another aspect, identification fibers areproduced from multiple spinnerets or from multiple spinnerets inmultiple spinning cabinets. Such a configuration can allow for highertotal counts of identification fibers or could improve overallspinnanability of the identification fibers by reducing concentration ofthe identification fibers being produced from any one spinneret.

Different groups of the distinguishable identification fibers can beproduced from separate spinnerets or from several spinnerets in variouscombinations. For example, each group of distinguishable identificationfibers can be produced using a spinneret different from the one used toproduce every other group of the distinguishable identification fibers.Such a configuration might allow for improved spinnability of theidentification fibers through the optimization of the spinneret and/orthe spinning conditions for each group of the distinguishableidentification fibers. In another aspect, all groups of thedistinguishable identification fibers can be produced from the samespinneret. Such a configuration might allow for reduced variation in theshape or size of the distinguishable identification fibers.

The arrangement of the distinguishable spinneret holes withdistinguishable spinneret hole geometry on a particular spinneret is notparticularly limiting. In one aspect, all of the holes having aparticular spinneret hole geometry can be arranged in the same row or inadjacent rows, or could be arranged in the same concentric ring oradjacent concentric rings, or can be grouped in a specific region of thespinneret. Such configurations may improve the spinnability of theidentification fibers or reduce the variation of the shape or size of adistinguishable identification fiber, thereby enabling improvedcharacterization. In another aspect, distinguishable spinneret holes foreach group of the distinguishable identification fibers can bedistributed uniformly in various patterns, or can be distributedrandomly with standard spinneret holes.

A fifth embodiment provides a method of characterizing a fiber samplecomprising (1) applying imaging technology to the fiber samplecomprising fibers. The fibers comprise identification fibers andstandard fibers and each of the identification fibers exhibits at leastone distinct feature. The identification fibers consist of one or moregroups of distinguishable identification fibers, each group ofdistinguishable identification fibers being formed by the identificationfibers having the same distinct feature or the same combination ofdistinct features. The method further comprises (2) detecting the groupsof the distinguishable identification fibers, and (3) counting a numberof each of the distinguishable identification fibers. The number ofidentification fibers in each group of the distinguishableidentification fibers is defined as a fiber count. At least one of thefiber counts corresponds to the taggant fiber count. The distinctfeatures in each group of the distinguishable identification fibers andthe one or more taggant fiber counts are representative of at least onesupply chain component of the fiber sample.

The method for testing a fiber sample encompasses testing a fiber samplecomprising the fibers with any combination of attributes disclosedabove. The fiber sample can comprise fibers, a portion of a yarncomprising fibers, a portion of a fiber band comprising fibers, or aportion of an article comprising fibers, yarn, or a fiber band.Specifically, the identification fiber composition, the sizes andnumbers of fibers, the percentage of identification fibers in a fiberband, the distinct features, number of distinct features, combinationsof distinct features, groups of distinguishable identification fibers,fiber counts, the taggant cross-section shapes and number ofidentification fibers exhibiting the taggant cross-section shapes, thetaggant cross-section sizes and number of identification fibersexhibiting the taggant cross-section sizes, the reference fibers, thetaggant fiber counts, the supply chain information, and the non-limitingcoding/correlation systems apply to the fiber sample of the fifthembodiment. Also, the fiber sample can comprise the acetate tow band ofthe second embodiment with any combinations of its features or thefilter of the third embodiment with any combinations of its features.

In one aspect, the fiber counts are added together to calculate ataggant total identification fibers number.

In one aspect, the imaging technology comprises the use ofelectromagnetic radiation at visible wavelengths. In another aspect, theimage technology comprises the use of electromagnetic radiation atinvisible wavelengths. The equipment useful for imaging technology isnot particularly limited. Non-limiting examples include human visualinspection, microscopy, electron microscopy, confocal microscopy,fluorescence microscopy, and optical scanning.

The imaging technology can be applied to the fiber sample transverse tothe length of the fibers. This direction allows, for example, a view ofthe cross-section shapes of the fibers. The imaging technology can alsobe applied along the length of fibers. This direction allows, forexample, a view of a pattern of surface markings on the fibers.

In one aspect, the fibers are incorporated into a matrix prior toapplying the imaging technology. For example, fibers can be immobilizedin a polymer that does not interfere with the imaging technology and cutinto appropriate sample sizes.

The imaging technology can also be applied to an article comprising thefibers, yarn, or the fiber band.

In one aspect, the method for characterizing the fiber sample furthercomprises (a) correlating the distinct features in each group of thedistinguishable identification fibers and the one or more fiber countsto a database comprising manufacturer-specific taggants; and (b)determining at least one supply chain component of the fiber sample. Theat least one supply chain component comprises a manufacturer of thestandard fibers, a manufacture site of the standard fibers, amanufacturing line of the standard fibers, a production run of thestandard fibers, a production date of the standard fibers, a package ofthe standard fibers, a warehouse of the standard fibers, a customer ofthe standard fibers, a ship-to location of the standard fibers, amanufacturer of a yarn or fiber band comprising the fibers, amanufacturing site of the yarn or fiber band, a manufacturing line ofthe yarn or fiber band, a production run of the yarn or fiber band, aproduction date of the yarn or fiber band, a package of the yarn orfiber band, a warehouse of the yarn or fiber band, a customer of theyarn or fiber band, a ship-to location of the yarn or fiber band, amanufacturer of an article comprising the fibers, a manufacture site ofthe article, a manufacturing line of the article, a production run ofthe article, a production date of the article, a package of the article,a warehouse of the article, a customer of the article, or a ship-tolocation of the article. In one aspect the correlating is among thedistinct features and/or the combinations of distinct features. Inanother aspect, the correlating is among the distinct features, thecombinations of distinct features, the fiber counts, the taggant fibercounts, the total number of each of the distinguishable identificationfibers, and/or the taggant total identification fiber number.

When determining the supply chain information of a yarn, fiber band,and/or an article comprising the yarn or fiber band, the fibers to beanalyzed may be in raw form such as a yarn or fiber band, (a collectionof fibers) or tow (a crimped fiber band). Additionally, the article canbe in a finished form such as a cylindrical filter (cigarette), apleated filter, a fabric or a non-woven material. A goal of identifyingthe fibers, yarn, or the fiber band is to prevent counterfeiting, and/orillicit sales, of articles by enabling the identification of supplychain information from testing the yarn, fiber band and/or the article.

Listed below are non-limiting embodiments A1-A30.

A1. Fibers comprising identification fibers, wherein each of theidentification fibers exhibits at least one distinct feature, whereinthe identification fibers consists of one of more groups ofdistinguishable identification fibers, each group of distinguishableidentification fibers being formed by identification fibers having thesame distinct feature or the same combination of distinct features,wherein a number of the identification fibers in each group of thedistinguishable identification fibers is defined as a fiber count,wherein at least one of the fiber counts corresponds to a taggant fibercount, and wherein (i) the distinct features in each group ofdistinguishable fibers and (ii) the one or more taggant fiber counts arerepresentative of at least one supply chain component of the fibers.

A2. The fibers of embodiment A1, further comprising standard fibers.

A3. The fibers of any of embodiments A1-A2, wherein the distinctfeatures comprise one or more taggant cross-section shapes and/or one ormore taggant cross-section sizes and wherein a number of taggant fibercounts for each group of the distinguishable identification fibersranges from 1 to 10.

A4. The fibers of embodiment A3, wherein a number of the taggantcross-section shapes ranges from 1 to 25; 1 to 20; 1 to 10; 1 to 5; 1 to4; 1 to 3; 2 to 20; 2 to 10; 2 to 5; or 3 to 10.

A5. The fibers of any of embodiments A3-A4, wherein a portion of thetaggant cross-section shapes are produced using spinneret holegeometries selected from the group consisting of triangle, circle,rectangle, square, flattened round, trapezoid hexagon, pentagon, andD-shaped.

A6. The fibers of any of embodiments A3-A5, wherein a number of thetaggant cross-section sizes ranges from 1 to 25; 1 to 20; 1 to 10; 1 to5; 1 to 3; 2 to 20; 2 to 10; 2 to 5; or 3 to 10, wherein a ratio of atleast one of the taggant cross-section sizes to an average cross-sectionsize of the standard fibers ranges from 20:1 to 1.1:1, or 10:1 to 1.1:1,or 5:1 to 1.1:1, or 3:1 to 1.1:1, and wherein the taggant cross-sectionsize and the average cross-section size are determined based upon aneffective diameter.

A7. The fibers of any of embodiments A3-A6, wherein a number of thetaggant cross-section sizes ranges from 1 to 25; 1 to 20; 1 to 10; 1 to5; 1 to 3; 2 to 20; 2 to 10; 2 to 5; or 3 to 10, wherein a ratio of atleast one of the taggant cross-section sizes to the averagecross-section size of the standard fibers ranges from 1:20 to 1:1.1, or1:10 to 1:1.1, or 1:5 to 1:1.1, or 1:2 to 1:1.1, and wherein the taggantcross-section size and the average cross-section size are determinedbased upon an effective diameter.

A8. The fibers of any of embodiments A3-A7, wherein the identificationfibers comprise reference fibers, wherein the reference fibers exhibit areference cross-section size and a reference cross-section shape,wherein a ratio of each of the taggant cross-section sizes to thereference cross-section size ranges from 20:1 to 1:20, and wherein thereference cross-section size and the taggant cross-section sizes aredetermined based upon an effective diameter.

A9. The fibers any of embodiments A2-A8, wherein the standard fiberscomprise cellulose acetate.

A10. The fibers of any of embodiments A2-A8, wherein the standard fiberscomprise acrylic, modacrylic, aramid, nylon, polyester, polypropylene,rayon, polyacrylonitrile, polyethylene, PTFE, or cellulose acetate.

A11. The fibers of any of embodiments A2-A10, wherein the at least onesupply chain component comprises at least one of a manufacturer of thestandard fibers, a manufacture site of the standard fibers, amanufacturing line of the standard fibers, a production run of thestandard fibers, a production date of the standard fibers, a package ofthe standard fibers, a warehouse of the standard fibers, a customer ofthe standard fibers, a ship-to location of the standard fibers, amanufacturer of a fiber band comprising the fibers, a manufacturing siteof the fiber band, a manufacturing line of the fiber band, a productionrun of the fiber band, a production date of the fiber band, a package ofthe fiber band, a warehouse of the fiber band, a customer of the fiberband, a ship-to location of the fiber band, a manufacturer of an articlecomprising the fibers, a manufacture site of the article, amanufacturing line of the article, a production run of the article, aproduction date of the article, a package of the article, a warehouse ofthe article, a customer of the article, or a ship-to location of thearticle.

A12. The fibers of embodiment A11, wherein the at least one supply chaincomponent comprises the manufacturer of the standard fibers and thecustomer of the standard fibers.

A13. The fibers of embodiment A11, wherein the at least one supply chaincomponent comprises the manufacturer of a fiber band comprising thefibers and the customer of the fiber band.

A14. Fibers comprising identification fibers, wherein each of theidentification fibers exhibits at least one distinct feature, whereinthe identification fibers consist of one or more groups ofdistinguishable identification fibers, each group of the distinguishableidentification fibers being formed by identification fibers having thesame distinct feature or the same combination of distinct features,wherein a number of the identification fibers in each group ofdistinguishable identification fibers is defined as a fiber count,wherein at least one of the fiber counts corresponds to a taggant fibercount, and wherein (i) the distinct features in each group ofdistinguishable identification fibers and (ii) the one or more taggantfiber counts are representative of at least one supply chain componentof an acetate tow band comprising the fibers.

A15. The fibers of embodiment A14, wherein the fibers further comprisestandard fibers, and wherein the standard fibers comprise celluloseacetate.

A16. The fibers of any of embodiments A14-A15, wherein the distinctfeatures comprise one or more taggant cross-section shapes and/or one ormore taggant cross-section sizes and wherein a number of taggant fibercounts for each group of the distinguishable identification fibersranges from 1 to 10.

A17. The fibers of embodiment A16, wherein a number of the taggantcross-section shapes ranges from 1 to 25, 1 to 20; 1 to 10; 1 to 5; 1 to4; 1 to 3; 2 to 20; 2 to 10; 2 to 5; or 3 to 10.

A18. The fibers of any of embodiments A16-A17, wherein a portion of thetaggant cross-section shapes are produced using spinneret holegeometries selected from the group consisting of circle, rectangle,square, flattened round, trapezoid hexagon, pentagon, and D-shaped.

A19. The fibers of any of embodiments A16-A18, wherein a number of thetaggant cross-section sizes ranges from 1 to 10, 1 to 5; 1 to 4; 1 to 3;2 to 10; 2 to 5; or 3 to 10, wherein a ratio of at least one of thetaggant cross-section sizes to an average cross-section size of thestandard fibers ranges from 10:1 to 1.1:1, or 5:1 to 1.1:1, or 3:1 to1.1:1, and wherein the taggant cross-section size and the averagecross-section size are determined based upon an effective.

A20. The fibers of any of embodiments A16-A19, wherein a number of thetaggant cross-section sizes ranges from 1 to 10, 1 to 5; 1 to 4; 1 to 3;2 to 10; 2 to 5; or 3 to 10, wherein a ratio of at least one of thetaggant cross-section sizes to the average cross-section size of thestandard fibers ranges from 1:10 to 1:1.1, or 1:5 to 1:1.1, or 1:2 to1:1.1, and wherein the taggant cross-section size and the averagecross-section size are determined based upon an effective diameter.

A21. The fibers of any of embodiments A16-A20, wherein the taggantcross-section sizes range from 1 to 30 dpf, 1 to 20 dpf, 4 to 30 dpf, or8 to 20 dpf.

A22. The fibers of any of embodiments A16-A20, wherein theidentification fibers comprise reference fibers, wherein the referencefibers exhibit a reference cross-section size and a referencecross-section shape, wherein a ratio of each of the taggantcross-section sizes to the reference cross-section size ranges from 20:1to 1:20, 10:1 to 1:10. or 5:1 to 1:5, and wherein the referencecross-section size and the taggant cross-section sizes are determinedbased upon an effective diameter.

A23. The fibers of any of embodiments A16-A22, wherein a number of thetaggant cross-section shapes ranges from 1 to 12; 1 to 10; 1 to 5; 1 to4; 1 to 3; 2 to 12; 2 to 10; 2 to 5; or 3 to 10 and wherein a number ofthe taggant cross-section sizes ranges from 1 to 4, 1 to 3, or 2 to 4.

A24. The fibers of any of embodiments A17-A26, wherein the number of thetaggant cross-section shapes ranges from 1 to 12; 1 to 10; 1 to 5; 1 to4; 1 to 3; 2 to 12; 2 to 10; 2 to 5; or 3 to 10.

A25. The fibers of any of embodiments A19-A24, wherein the number of thetaggant cross-section sizes ranges from 1 to 4, 1 to 3, or 2 to 4.

A26. The fibers of any of embodiments A22-A25, wherein a number of thereference fibers is larger than each of the fiber counts.

A27. The fibers of any of embodiments A14-A26, wherein the at least onesupply chain component comprises at least one of a manufacturer of theacetate tow band, a manufacture site of the acetate tow band, amanufacturing line of the acetate tow band, a production run of theacetate tow band, a production date of the acetate tow band, a bale ofthe acetate tow band, a warehouse of the acetate tow band, a customer ofthe acetate tow band, or a ship-to location of the acetate tow band.

A28. The fibers of embodiment A27, wherein the at least one supply chaincomponent comprises the manufacturer of the acetate tow band and thecustomer of the acetate tow band.

A29. The fibers of embodiment A27, wherein the at least one supply chaincomponent comprises the manufacturer of the acetate tow band and theship-to location of the acetate tow band.

A30. Fibers comprising identification fibers and standard fibers,wherein the standard fibers comprise cellulose acetate, wherein each ofthe identification fibers exhibit at least one distinct feature, whereinthe distinct features comprise 1 to 10 taggant cross-section shapes and1 to 4 taggant cross-section sizes, wherein the identification fibersconsist of one or more groups of distinguishable identification fibers,each group of the distinguishable identification fibers being formed bythe identification fibers having the same taggant cross-section shape,the same taggant cross-section size, or the same combination of taggantcross-section shape and taggant cross-section size, wherein a number ofthe identification fibers in each group of the distinguishableidentification fibers is defined as a fiber count, and wherein (i) thedistinct features in each group of the distinguishable identificationfibers wherein each of the fiber counts corresponds to a taggant fibercount, and wherein a number of taggant fiber counts for each group ofthe distinguishable identification fibers ranges from 1 to 4, and (ii)the taggant fiber counts are representative of a manufacturer an acetatetow band comprising the fibers and a customer of the acetate tow band ora ship-to location of the acetate tow band.

Listed below are additional non-limiting embodiments B1-B30.

B1. An acetate tow band comprising fibers, wherein the fibers comprisestandard fibers and identification fibers, wherein the standard fiberscomprise cellulose acetate, wherein each of the identification fibersexhibits at least one distinct feature, wherein the identificationfibers consist of one or more groups of distinguishable identificationfibers, each group of the distinguishable identification fibers beingformed by the identification fibers having the same distinct feature orthe same combination of distinct features, wherein a number of theidentification fibers in each group of the distinguishableidentification fibers is defined as a fiber count, wherein at least oneof the fiber counts corresponds to a taggant fiber count, and wherein(i) the distinct features in each group of distinguishableidentification fibers and (ii) the one or more taggant fiber counts arerepresentative of at least one supply chain component of the acetate towband.

B2. The acetate tow band of embodiment B1, wherein the distinct featurescomprise one or more taggant cross-section shapes and/or one or moretaggant cross-section sizes and wherein a number of taggant fiber countsfor each group of the distinguishable identification fibers ranges from1 to 10.

B3 The acetate tow band of embodiment B2, wherein a number of thetaggant cross-section shapes ranges from 1 to 25, 1 to 20; 1 to 10; 1 to5; 1 to 4; 1 to 3; 2 to 20; 2 to 10; 2 to 5; or 3 to 10.

B4 The acetate tow band of any of embodiments B2-B3, wherein a portionof the taggant cross-section shapes are produced using spinneret holegeometries selected from the group consisting of circle, rectangle,square, flattened round, trapezoid hexagon, pentagon, and D-shaped.

B5. The acetate tow band of any of embodiments B2-B4, wherein a numberof the taggant cross-section sizes ranges from 1 to 10, 1 to 5; 1 to 4;1 to 3; 2 to 10; 2 to 5; or 3 to 10, wherein a ratio of at least one ofthe taggant cross-section sizes to an average cross-section size of thestandard fibers ranges from 10:1 to 1.1:1, or 5:1 to 1.1:1, or 2:1 to1.1:1, and wherein the taggant cross-section size and the averagecross-section size are determined based upon an effective diameter.

B6. The acetate tow band of any of embodiments B2-B5, wherein a numberof the taggant cross-section sizes ranges from 1 to 10, 1 to 5; 1 to 3;2 to 10; 2 to 5; or 3 to 10, wherein a ratio of at least one of thetaggant cross-section sizes to the average cross-section size of thestandard fibers ranges from 1:10 to 1:1.1, or 1:10 to 1:1.1, or 1:5 to1:1.1, or 1:2 to 1:1.1, and wherein the taggant cross-section size andthe average cross-section size are determined based upon an effectivediameter.

B7. The acetate tow band of any of embodiments B2-B6, wherein thetaggant cross-section sizes range from 1 to 30 dpf, 1 to 20 dpf, 4 to 30dpf, or 8 to 20 dpf.

B8. The acetate tow band of any of embodiments B1-B7, wherein theidentification fibers comprise acrylic, modacrylic, aramid, nylon,polyester, polypropylene, rayon, polyacrylonitrile, polyethylene, PTFE,or cellulose acetate.

B9. The acetate tow band of any of embodiments B2-B8, wherein thedistinguishable identification fibers comprise reference fibers, whereinthe reference fibers exhibit a reference cross-section size and areference cross-section shape, wherein a ratio of each of the taggantcross-section sizes to the reference cross-section size ranges from 20:1to 1:20, 10:1 to 1:10. or 5:1 to 1:5, and wherein the referencecross-section sizes and taggant cross-section sizes are determined basedupon an effective diameter.

B10. The acetate tow band of any of embodiments B2-B9, wherein a numberof the taggant cross-section shapes ranges from 1 to 12; 1 to 10; 1 to5; 1 to 4; 1 to 3; 2 to 12; 2 to 10; 2 to 5; or 3 to 10 and wherein anumber of the taggant cross-section sizes ranges from 1 to 4, 1 to 3, or2 to 4.

B11. The acetate tow band of any of embodiments B9-B10, wherein a numberof the reference fibers is larger than each of the other fiber counts.

B12. The acetate tow band of any of embodiments B1-B11, wherein the atleast one supply chain component comprises at least one of amanufacturer of the acetate tow band, a manufacture site of the acetatetow band, a manufacturing line of the acetate tow band, a production runof the acetate tow band, a production date of the acetate tow band, abale of the acetate tow band, a warehouse of the acetate tow band, acustomer of the acetate tow band, or a ship-to location of the acetatetow band.

B13. The acetate tow band of embodiment B12, wherein the at least onesupply chain component comprises the manufacturer of the acetate towband and the customer of the acetate tow band.

B14. The acetate tow band of embodiment B12, wherein the at least onesupply chain component comprises the manufacturer of the acetate towband and the ship-to location of the acetate tow band.

B15. A filter comprising an acetate tow band, wherein the acetate towband comprises fibers, wherein the fibers comprise standard fibers andidentification fibers, wherein the standard fibers comprise celluloseacetate, wherein each of the identification fibers exhibits at least onedistinct feature, wherein the identification fibers consist of one ormore groups of distinguishable identification fibers, each group of thedistinguishable identification fibers being formed by the identificationfibers having the same distinct feature or the same combination ofdistinct features, wherein a number of the identification fibers in eachgroup of the distinguishable identification fibers is defined as a fibercount, wherein at least one of the fiber counts corresponds to a taggantfiber count, and wherein (i) the distinct features in each group ofdistinguishable identification fibers and (ii) the one or more taggantfiber counts are representative of at least one supply chain componentof the acetate tow band.

B16. The filter of embodiment B15, wherein the distinct featurescomprise one or more taggant cross-section shapes and/or one or moretaggant cross-section sizes and wherein a number of taggant fiber countsfor each group of the distinguishable identification fibers ranges from1 to 10.

B17. The filter of embodiment B16, wherein a number of the taggantcross-section shapes ranges from 1 to 25, 1 to 20; 1 to 10; 1 to 5; 1 to4; 1 to 3; 2 to 20; 2 to 10; 2 to 5; or 3 to 10.

B18. The filter of any of embodiments B16-B17, wherein at least aportion of the taggant cross-section shapes are produced using spinnerethole geometries selected from the group consisting of circle, rectangle,square, flattened round, trapezoid hexagon, pentagon, and D-shaped.

B19. The filter of any of embodiments B16-B18, wherein a number of thetaggant cross-section sizes ranges from 1 to 10, 1 to 5; 1 to 4; 1 to 3;2 to 10; 2 to 5; or 3 to 10, wherein a ratio at least one of the taggantcross-section sizes to an average cross-section size of the standardfibers ranges from 10:1 to 1.1:1, or 5:1 to 1.1:1, or 2:1 to 1.1:1, andwherein the taggant cross-section sizes and the average cross-sectionsize are determined based upon an effective diameter.

B20. The filter of any of embodiments B16-B19, wherein a number of thetaggant cross-section sizes ranges from 1 to 10, 1 to 5; 1 to 4; 1 to 3;2 to 10; 2 to 5; or 3 to 10, wherein a ratio of at least one of thetaggant cross-section sizes to the average cross-section size of thestandard fibers ranges from 1:10 to 1:1.1, or 1:10 to 1:1.1, or 1:5 to1:1.1, or 1:2 to 1:1.1, and wherein the taggant cross-section sizes andthe average cross-section size are determined based upon an effectivediameter.

B21. The filter of any of embodiments B16-B20, wherein the taggantcross-section sizes range from 1 to 30 dpf, 1 to 20 dpf, 4 to 30 dpf, or8 to 20 dpf.

B22. The filter of any of embodiments B15-B20, wherein theidentification fibers comprise acrylic, modacrylic, aramid, nylon,polyester, polypropylene, rayon, polyacrylonitrile, polyethylene, PTFE,or cellulose acetate.

B23. The filter of any of embodiments B16-B21, wherein thedistinguishable identification fibers comprise reference fibers, whereinthe reference fibers exhibit a reference cross-section size and areference cross-section shape, wherein a ratio of each of the taggantcross-section sizes to the reference cross-section size ranges from 20:1to 1:20, 10:1 to 1:10. or 5:1 to 1:5, and wherein each of thecross-section sizes are determined based upon an effective diameter.

B24. The filter of any of embodiments B16-B23, wherein a number of thetaggant cross-section shapes ranges from 1 to 12; 1 to 10; 1 to 5; 1 to4; 1 to 3; 2 to 12; 2 to 10; 2 to 5; or 3 to 10 and wherein a number ofthe taggant cross-section sizes ranges from 1 to 4, 1 to 3, or 2 to 4.

B25. The filter of any of embodiments B23-B24, wherein a number of thereference fibers is larger than each of the other fiber counts.

B26. The filter of any of embodiments B15-B25, wherein the at least onesupply chain supply chain component comprises a manufacturer of theacetate tow band, a manufacture site of the acetate tow band, amanufacturing line of the acetate tow band, a production run of theacetate tow band, a production date of the acetate tow band, a bale ofthe acetate tow band, a warehouse of the acetate tow band, a customer ofthe acetate tow band, or a ship-to location of the acetate tow band.

B27. The filter of embodiment B26, wherein the at least one supply chaincomponent comprises the manufacturer of the acetate tow band and thecustomer of the acetate tow band.

B28. The filter of embodiment B26, wherein the at least one supply chaincomponent comprises the manufacturer of the acetate tow band and theship-to location of the acetate tow band.

B29. An acetate tow band comprising cellulose acetate fibers, whereinthe cellulose acetate fibers comprise standard fibers and identificationfibers, wherein each of the identification fibers exhibits at least onedistinct feature, wherein the distinct features comprise 1 to 10 taggantcross-section shapes and 1 to 4 taggant cross-section sizes, wherein theidentification fibers consist of one or more groups of distinguishableidentification fibers, each group of distinguishable identificationfibers being formed by the identification fibers having the same taggantcross-section shape, the same taggant cross-section size, or the samecombination of taggant cross-section shape and taggant cross-sectionsize, wherein a number of the identification fibers in each group of thedistinguishable identification fibers is defined as a fiber count,wherein each of the fiber counts corresponds to a taggant fiber count,and wherein a number of taggant fiber counts for each group of thedistinguishable identification fibers ranges from 1 to 4, and wherein(i) the distinct features in each group of the distinguishableidentification fibers and (ii) the taggant fiber counts arerepresentative of a manufacturer of the acetate tow band and a customerof the acetate tow band or a ship-to location of the acetate tow band.

B30. A filter comprising an acetate tow band, wherein the acetate towband comprises cellulose acetate fibers, wherein the cellulose acetatefibers comprise standard fibers and identification fibers, wherein eachof the identification fibers exhibits at least one distinct feature,wherein the distinct features comprise 1 to 10 taggant cross-sectionshapes and 1 to 4 taggant cross-section sizes, wherein theidentification fibers consist of one or more groups of distinguishableidentification fibers, each group of distinguishable identificationfibers being formed by the identification fibers having the same taggantcross-section shape, the same taggant cross-section size, or the samecombination of taggant cross-section shape and taggant cross-sectionsize, wherein a number of the identification fibers in each group of thedistinguishable identification fibers is defined as a fiber count,wherein each of the fiber counts corresponds to a taggant fiber count,and wherein a number of taggant fiber counts for each group of thedistinguishable identification fibers ranges from 1 to 4, and wherein(i) the distinct features in each group of the distinguishableidentification fibers and (ii) the taggant fiber counts arerepresentative of a manufacturer of the acetate tow band and a customerof the acetate tow band or a ship-to location of the acetate tow band.

Listed below are additional non-limiting embodiments C1-C30.

C1. A method of making a acetate tow band comprising fibers, wherein thefibers comprise identification fibers and standard fibers, wherein thestandard fibers comprise cellulose acetate, and wherein the methodcomprises:

(a) producing the identification fibers on a first fiber productionprocess;

(b) producing the standard fibers on a second fiber production process;and

(c) combining the identification fibers and the standard fibers into anacetate tow band,

wherein each of the identification fibers exhibits at least one distinctfeature, wherein the identification fibers consist of one or more groupsof distinguishable identification fibers, each group of distinguishableidentification fibers being formed by the identification fibers havingthe same distinct feature or the same combination of distinct features,wherein a number of the identification fibers in each group ofdistinguishable identification fibers is defined as a fiber count,wherein at least one of the fiber counts corresponds to a taggant fibercount, and wherein (i) the distinct features in each group ofdistinguishable identification fibers and (ii) the one or more taggantfiber counts are representative of at least one supply chain componentof the acetate tow band.

C2. The method of embodiment C1, wherein the first fiber productionprocess and the second fiber production process correspond to a commonfiber production process.

C3. The method of any of embodiments C1-C2, wherein the distinctfeatures comprise one or more taggant cross-section shapes and/or one ormore taggant cross-section sizes and wherein a number of taggant fibercounts for each group of the distinguishable identification fibersranges from 1 to 10.

C4. The method of embodiment C3, wherein the identification fibers areproduced using distinguishable spinneret holes, each group of thedistinguishable spinneret holes being formed by spinneret holes havingthe same distinguishable spinneret hole geometry, wherein each group ofthe distinguishable identification fibers are produced using acorresponding group of the distinguishable spinneret holes.

C5. The method of embodiments C4, wherein all of the distinguishablespinneret holes are contained in a single spinneret.

C6. The method of any of embodiments C3-C5, wherein a number of thetaggant cross-section shapes ranges from 1 to 25, 1 to 20; 1 to 10; 1 to5; 1 to 4; 1 to 3; 2 to 20; 2 to 10; 2 to 5; or 3 to 10.

C7. The method of any of embodiments C3-C6, wherein a portion of thedistinguishable spinneret hole geometries are selected from the groupconsisting of triangle, circle, rectangle, square, flattened round,trapezoid, hexagon, pentagon, and D-shaped.

C8. The method of any of embodiments C3-C7, wherein a number of thetaggant cross-section sizes ranges from 1 to 10, 1 to 5; 1 to 4; 1 to 3;2 to 10; 2 to 5; or 3 to 10, wherein a ratio of a larger of the taggantcross-section sizes to an average cross-section size of the standardfibers ranges from 10:1 to 1.1:1, or 5:1 to 1.1:1, or 2:1 to 1.1:1,and/or wherein a ratio of a smaller of the taggant cross-section sizesto the average cross-section size of the standard fibers ranges from1:10 to 1:1.1, or 1:5 to 1:1.1, or 1:2 to 1:1.1, and wherein the largertaggant cross-section size, the smaller taggant cross-section size, andthe average cross-section size are determined based upon an effectivediameter.

C9. The method of any of embodiments C3-C8, wherein the taggantcross-section sizes range from 1 to 30 dpf, 1 to 20 dpf, 4 to 30 dpf, or8 to 20 dpf.

C10. The method of any of embodiments C4-C9, wherein the distinguishableidentification fibers comprise reference fibers, wherein the referencefibers exhibit a reference cross-section size and a referencecross-section shape, wherein the reference fibers are produced using thedistinguishable spinneret holes comprising reference spinneret holes.

C11. The method of embodiment C10, wherein a ratio of at least one ofthe taggant cross-section sizes to the reference cross-section sizeranges from 20:1 to 1.1:1, or 10:1 to 1.1:1, or 5:1 to 1.1:1, or 2:1 to1.1:1 and wherein the taggant cross-section size and the referencecross-section size are determined based upon an effective diameter.

C12. The method of any of embodiments C10-C11, wherein a ratio of thereference cross-section size to a at least one of the taggantcross-section sizes ranges from 20:1 to 1.1:1, or 10:1 to 1.1:1, or 5:1to 1.1:1, or 2:1 to 1.1:1, and wherein the reference cross-section sizeand the taggant cross-section size are determined based upon aneffective diameter.

C13. The method of any of embodiments C4-C12, wherein a number of eachof the distinguishable spinneret holes is selected to produce each ofthe fiber counts.

C14. The method of any of embodiments C10-C13, wherein a number of thereference spinneret holes is selected to produce a larger number of thereference fibers than any of the fiber counts for other groups of thedistinguishable identification fibers.

C15. The method of any of embodiments C1-C13, wherein the at least onesupply chain supply chain component comprises a manufacturer of theacetate tow band, a manufacture site of the acetate tow band, amanufacturing line of the acetate tow band, a production run of theacetate tow band, a production date of the acetate tow band, a bale ofthe acetate tow band, a warehouse of the acetate tow band, a customer ofthe acetate tow band, or a ship-to location of the acetate tow band.

C16. The method of embodiment C15, wherein the at least one supply chaincomponent comprises the manufacturer of the acetate tow band and thecustomer of the acetate tow band.

C17. The method of embodiment C15, wherein the at least one supply chaincomponent comprises the manufacturer of the acetate tow band and theship-to location of the acetate tow band.

C18. A method of making an acetate tow band comprising cellulose acetatefibers, wherein the cellulose acetate fibers comprise identificationfibers and standard fibers, wherein the method comprises:

(a) co-producing the identification fibers and the standard fibers; and

(b) combining the identification fibers and the standard fibers into theacetate tow band,

wherein each of the identification fibers exhibits at least one distinctfeature, wherein the distinct features comprise taggant cross-sectionshapes or taggant cross-section sizes, wherein the identification fibersconsist of 1 to 20 groups of distinguishable identification fibers, eachgroup of the distinguishable identification fibers being formed by theidentification fibers having the same taggant cross-section shape, thesame taggant cross-section size, or the same combination of taggantcross-section shape and taggant cross-section size, wherein a number ofthe identification fibers in each group of the distinguishableidentification fibers is defined as a fiber count, wherein at least oneof the fiber counts corresponds to a taggant fiber count, and wherein(i) the distinct features in each group of distinguishableidentification fibers and (ii) the one or more taggant fiber counts arerepresentative of at least one supply chain component of the acetate towband.

C19. The method of embodiment C18, wherein the identification fibers areproduced using distinguishable spinneret holes, each group of thedistinguishable spinneret holes being formed by spinneret holes havingthe same distinguishable spinneret hole geometry, wherein each group ofthe distinguishable identification fibers are produced using acorresponding group of the distinguishable spinneret holes.

C20. The method of embodiment C19, wherein all of the distinguishablespinneret holes are contained in a single spinneret.

C21. The method of any of embodiments C18-C20, wherein a number of thetaggant cross-section shapes ranges from 1 to 20, 1 to 10; 1 to 5; 1 to3; 2 to 20; 2 to 10; 2 to 5; or 3 to 10 and wherein at least a portionof the spinneret hole geometries are selected from the group consistingof triangle, circle, rectangle, square, flattened round, trapezoid,hexagon, pentagon, and D-shaped.

C22. The method of any of embodiments C18-C21, wherein a number of thetaggant cross-section sizes ranges from 1 to 10, 1 to 5; 1 to 4; 1 to 3;2 to 20; 2 to 10; 2 to 5; or 3 to 10, wherein a ratio of at least one ofthe taggant cross-section sizes to an average cross-section size of thestandard fibers ranges from 10:1 to 1.1:1, or 5:1 to 1.1:1, or 2:1 to1.1:1, and/or wherein a ratio of at least one of the taggantcross-section sizes to the average cross-section size of the standardfibers ranges from 1:10 to 1:1.1, or 1:5 to 1:1.1, or 1:2 to 1:1.1, andwherein the taggant cross-section size and the average cross-sectionsize are determined based upon an effective diameter.

C23. The method of any of embodiments C18-C22, wherein a number oftaggant cross-section shapes ranges from 1 to 12, 1 to 10; 1 to 5; 1 to3; 2 to 12; 2 to 10; 2 to 5; or 3 to 10, a number of taggantcross-section sizes ranges from 1 to 4, 1 to 3, or 2 to 4, and, andwherein a number of taggant fiber counts for each group of thedistinguishable identification fibers ranges from 1 to 10, 1 to 3, or 2to 4.

C24. The method of any of embodiments C19-C23, wherein thedistinguishable identification fibers comprise a reference fiber,wherein the reference fiber comprises a reference cross-section size anda reference cross-section shape, wherein the reference fibers areproduced using the distinguishable spinneret holes comprising referencespinneret holes; wherein a ratio of each of the taggant cross-sectionsizes to the reference cross-section size ranges from 20:1 to 1:20, 10:1to 1:10, 5:1 to 1:5, or 2:1 to 1:2 wherein the reference cross-sectionsize and taggant cross-section sizes are determined based upon aneffective diameter.

C25. The method of any of embodiments C19-C24, wherein a number of eachof the distinguishable spinneret holes is selected to produce each ofthe fiber counts.

C26. The method of any of embodiments C24-C25, wherein a number thereference spinneret holes is selected to produce a larger number of thereference fibers than any of the fiber counts for other groups of thedistinguishable identification fibers.

C27. The method of any of embodiments C18-C25, wherein the at least onesupply chain component comprises a manufacturer of the acetate tow band,a manufacture site of the acetate tow band, a manufacturing line of theacetate tow band, a production run of the acetate tow band, a productiondate of the acetate tow band, a bale of the acetate tow band, awarehouse of the acetate tow band, a customer of the acetate tow band,or a ship-to location of the acetate tow band.

C28. The method of embodiment C27, wherein the at least one supply chaincomponent comprises the manufacturer of the acetate tow band and thecustomer of the acetate tow band.

C29. The method of embodiment C27, wherein the at least one supply chaincomponent comprises the manufacturer of the acetate tow band and theship-to location of the acetate tow band.

C30. A method of making an acetate tow band, wherein the acetate towband comprises cellulose acetate fibers, wherein the cellulose acetatefibers comprise standard fibers and identification fibers, the methodcomprising

(a) coproducing standard fibers and identification fibers and

(b) combining the standard fibers and the identification fibers into theacetate tow band,

wherein each of the identification fibers exhibits at least one distinctfeature, wherein the distinct features comprise 1 to 10 taggantcross-section shapes and 1 to 4 taggant cross-section sizes, wherein theidentification fibers consist of one or more groups of distinguishableidentification fibers, each group of the distinguishable identificationfibers being formed by the identification fibers having the same taggantcross-section shape, the same taggant cross-section size, or the samecombination of taggant cross-section shape and taggant cross-sectionsize, wherein a number of the identification fibers in each group of thedistinguishable identification fibers is defined as a fiber count,wherein each of the fiber counts corresponds to a taggant fiber count,and wherein a number of taggant fiber counts for each group of thedistinguishable identification fibers ranges from 1 to 4, and wherein(i) the distinct features in each group of the distinguishableidentification fibers and (ii) the taggant fiber counts arerepresentative of a manufacturer of the acetate tow band and a customerof the acetate tow band or a ship-to location of the acetate tow band.

Listed below are additional non-limiting embodiments D1-D30.

D1. A method of characterizing a fiber sample comprising (1) applyingimaging technology to a fiber sample comprising fibers, wherein thefibers comprise identification fibers and standard fibers, wherein eachof the identification fibers exhibits at least one distinct feature,wherein the identification fibers consist of one or more groups of thedistinguishable identification fibers, each group of the distinguishableidentification being formed by the identification fibers having the samedistinct feature or the same combination of distinct features, (2)detecting the groups of the distinguishable identification fibers, and(3) counting a number of each of the distinguishable identificationfibers, wherein the number of identification fibers in each group of thedistinguishable identification fibers is defined as a fiber count,wherein at least one of the fiber counts corresponds to a taggant fibercount, and wherein (i) the distinct features in each group of thedistinguishable identification fibers and (ii) the one or more taggantfiber counts are representative of at least one supply chain componentof the fiber sample.

D2. The method of embodiment D1, wherein the distinct features compriseone or more taggant cross-section shapes and/or one or more taggantcross-section sizes and wherein a number of taggant fiber counts foreach group of the distinguishable identification fibers ranges from 1 to10.

D3. The method of embodiment D2, wherein a number of the taggantcross-section shapes ranges from 1 to 25, 1 to 20; 1 to 10; 1 to 5; 1 to4; 1 to 3; 2 to 20; 2 to 10; 2 to 5; or 3 to 10.

D4. The method of any of embodiments D2-D3, wherein a portion of thetaggant cross-section shapes are produced using spinneret holegeometries selected from the group consisting of triangle, circle,rectangle, square, flattened round, trapezoid hexagon, pentagon, andD-shaped.

D5. The method of any of embodiments D2-D4, wherein a number of thetaggant cross-section sizes ranges from 1 to 25; 1 to 20; 1 to 10; 1 to5; 1 to 4; 1 to 3; 2 to 20; 2 to 10; 2 to 5; or 3 to 10, wherein a ratioof at least one of the taggant cross-section sizes to an averagecross-section size of the standard fibers ranges from 20:1 to 1.1:1, or10:1 to 1.1:1, or 5:1 to 1.1:1, or 3:1 to 1.1:1, and wherein the taggantcross-section size and the average cross-section size are determinedbased upon an effective diameter

D6. The method of any of embodiments D2-D5, wherein a number of thetaggant cross-section sizes ranges from 1 to 25; 1 to 20; 1 to 10; 1 to5; 1 to 4; 1 to 3; 2 to 20; 2 to 10; 2 to 5; or 3 to 10, wherein a ratioof at least one of the taggant cross-section sizes to the averagecross-section size of the standard fibers ranges from 1:20 to 1:1.1, or1:10 to 1:1.1, or 1:5 to 1:1.1, or 1:2 to 1:1.1, and wherein the taggantcross-section size and the average cross-section size are determinedbased upon an effective diameter.

D7. The method of any of embodiments D2-D6, wherein the distinguishableidentification fibers comprise reference fibers, wherein the referencefibers exhibit a reference cross-section size and a referencecross-section shape, wherein a ratio of each of the taggantcross-section sizes to the reference cross-section size ranges from 20:1to 1:20, 10:1 to 1:10. or 5:1 to 1:5, and wherein the referencecross-section size and the taggant cross-section sizes are determinedbased upon an effective diameter.

D8. The method of any of embodiments D1-D7, wherein the standard fiberscomprise cellulose acetate, wherein the fiber sample comprises a portionof an article comprising the fibers, and wherein the article is selectedfrom the group consisting of a filter rod and a cigarette filter.

D9. The method of any of embodiments D1-D8, wherein the fiber samplecomprises a portion of an article and wherein the article is selectedfrom the group consisting of fabrics and other textile products,non-wovens, and absorbent products.

D10. The method of any of embodiments D1-D9, wherein the imagingtechnology is selected from the group consisting of human visualinspection, microscopy, electron microscopy, confocal microscopy,florescence microscopy, and optical scanning; or wherein the imagingtechnology is selected from the group consisting of microscopy, electronmicroscopy, confocal microscopy, florescence microscopy, and opticalscanning.

D11. The method of any of embodiments D1-D10, wherein the imagingtechnology is applied transverse to the length of the fibers.

D12. The method of any of embodiments D1-D11, further comprising (a)correlating the (i) the distinct features in each group of thedistinguishable identification fibers and (ii) the one or more taggantfiber counts to a database, wherein the database comprises manufacturerspecific taggants; and (b) determining the at least on supply chaincomponent, wherein the at least one supply chain component comprises atleast one of a manufacturer of the standard fibers, a manufacture siteof the standard fibers, a manufacturing line of the standard fibers, aproduction run of the standard fibers, a production date of the standardfibers, a package of the standard fibers, a warehouse of the standardfibers, a customer of the standard fibers, a ship-to location of thestandard fibers, a manufacturer of a fiber band comprising the standardfibers, a manufacturing site of the fiber band, a manufacturing line ofthe fiber band, a production run of the fiber band, a production date ofthe fiber band, a package of the fiber band, a warehouse of the fiberband, a customer of the fiber band, a ship-to location of the fiberband, a manufacturer of an article comprising the fibers, a manufacturesite of the article, a manufacturing line of the article, a productionrun of the article, a production date of the article, a package of thearticle, a warehouse of the article, a customer of the article, or aship-to location of the article.

D13. The embodiment of D12, wherein the at least one supply chaincomponent comprises the manufacturer of the fiber band comprising thestandard fibers and customer of the fiber band.

D14. The embodiment of D12, wherein the at least one supply chaincomponent comprises the manufacturer of the fiber band comprising thestandard fibers and ship-to location of the fiber band.

D15. A method of characterizing a fiber sample comprising (1) applyingimaging technology to the fiber sample, wherein the fiber samplecomprises fibers, wherein the fibers comprise identification fibers andstandard fibers, wherein the standard fibers comprise cellulose acetate,wherein each of the identification fibers exhibits at least one distinctfeature, wherein the identification fibers consist of one or more groupsof the distinguishable identification fibers, each group of thedistinguishable identification fibers being formed by the identificationfibers having the same distinct feature or the same combination ofdistinct features, (2) detecting the groups of the distinguishableidentification fibers, and (3) counting a number of each of thedistinguishable identification fibers, wherein the number of theidentification fibers in each group of the distinguishableidentification fibers is defined as a fiber count, wherein at least oneof the fiber counts corresponds to a taggant fiber count, and wherein(i) the distinct features in each group of the distinguishableidentification fibers and (ii) the one or more taggant fiber counts arerepresentative of at least one supply chain component of an acetate towband, wherein the acetate tow band comprises the fibers, and wherein thefiber sample comprises a portion of the acetate tow band or a portion ofan article comprising the acetate tow band.

D16. The method of embodiment D15, wherein the distinct featurescomprise one or more taggant cross-section shapes and/or one or moretaggant cross-section sizes and wherein a number of taggant fiber countsfor each group of the distinguishable identification fibers ranges from1 to 10.

D17. The method of embodiment D16, wherein a number of the taggantcross-section shapes ranges from 1 to 25, 1 to 20; 1 to 10; 1 to 5; 1 to4; 1 to 3; 2 to 20; 2 to 10; 2 to 5; or 3 to 10.

D18. The method of any of embodiments D16-D17, wherein a portion of thetaggant cross-section shapes are produced using spinneret holegeometries selected from the group consisting of triangle, circle,rectangle, square, flattened round, trapezoid hexagon, pentagon, andD-shaped.

D19. The method of any of embodiments D16-D18, wherein a number of thetaggant cross-section sizes ranges from 1 to 10; 1 to 5; 1 to 4; 1 to 3;2 to 10; 2 to 5; or 3 to 10, wherein a ratio of at least one of thetaggant cross-section sizes to an average cross-section size of thestandard fibers ranges from 10:1 to 1.1:1, or 5:1 to 1.1:1, or 2:1 to1.1:1, and wherein the taggant cross-section size and the averagecross-section size are determined based upon an effective diameter

D20. The method of any of embodiments D16-D19, wherein a number of thetaggant cross-section sizes ranges from 1 to 10; 1 to 5; 1 to 4; 1 to 3;2 to 10; 2 to 5; or 3 to 10, wherein a ratio of at least one of thetaggant cross-section sizes to the average cross-section size of thestandard fibers ranges from 1:10 to 1:1.1, or 1:5 to 1:1.1, or 1:2 to1:1.1, and wherein the taggant cross-section size and the averagecross-section size are determined based upon an effective diameter.

D21. The method of any of embodiments D16-D20, wherein the taggantcross-section sizes range from 1 to 30 dpf, 1 to 20 dpf, 4 to 30 dpf, or8 to 20 dpf.

D22. The method of any of embodiments D15-D21, wherein theidentification fibers comprise cellulose acetate.

D23. The method of any of embodiments D16-D22, wherein a number of thetaggant cross-section shapes ranges from 1 to 12, 1 to 10; 1 to 5; 1 to4; 1 to 3; 2 to 12; 2 to 10; 2 to 5; or 3 to 10 and a number of thetaggant cross-section sizes ranges from 1 to 4, 1 to 3, or 2 to 4.

D24. The method of any of embodiments D15-D23, wherein the imagingtechnology is selected from the group consisting of human visualinspection, microscopy, electron microscopy, confocal microscopy,florescence microscopy, and optical scanning; or wherein the imagingtechnology is selected from the group consisting of microscopy, electronmicroscopy, confocal microscopy, florescence microscopy, and opticalscanning.

D25. The method of any of embodiments D15-D24, wherein the imagingtechnology is applied transverse to the length of the fibers.

D26. The method of any of embodiments D16-D25, wherein thedistinguishable identification fibers comprise reference fibers, whereinthe reference fibers exhibit a reference cross-section size and areference cross-section shape, wherein a ratio of each of the taggantcross-section sizes to the reference cross-section size ranges from 20:1to 1:20, 10:1 to 1:10. or 5:1 to 1:5, and wherein the referencecross-section size and the taggant cross-section sizes are determinedbased upon an effective diameter.

D27. The method of any of embodiments D15-D26, further comprising (a)correlating the (i) the distinct features in each group of thedistinguishable identification fibers and (ii) the one or more taggantfiber counts to a database, wherein the database comprises manufacturerspecific taggants; and (b) determining the at least on supply chaincomponent, wherein the at least one supply chain component comprises atleast one of a manufacturer of the acetate tow band, a manufacture siteof the acetate tow band, a manufacturing line of the acetate tow band, aproduction run of the acetate tow band, a production date of the acetatetow band, a bale of the acetate tow band, a warehouse of the acetate towband, a customer of the acetate tow band, or a ship-to location of theacetate tow band.

D28. The method of embodiment D27, wherein the at least one supply chaincomponent comprises the manufacturer of the acetate tow band and thecustomer of the acetate tow band.

D29. The method of embodiment D27, wherein the at least one supply chaincomponent comprises the manufacturer of the acetate tow band and theship-to location of the acetate tow band.

D30. A method of characterizing a fiber sample comprising (1) applyingimaging technology to the fiber sample, wherein the fiber samplecomprises standard fibers and identification fibers, wherein thestandard fibers comprise cellulose acetate, wherein each of theidentification fibers exhibits at least one distinct feature, whereinthe distinct features comprise 1 to 10 taggant cross-section shapes and1 to 4 taggant cross-section sizes, wherein the identification fibersconsist of one or more groups of distinguishable identification fibers,each group of the distinguishable identification fibers being formed byidentification fibers having the same taggant cross-section shape, thesame taggant cross-section size, or the same combination of taggantcross-section shape and taggant cross-section size, (2) detecting thegroups of the distinguishable identification fibers, and (3) counting anumber of the distinguishable identification fibers in each of thegroups, wherein the number of the distinguishable identification fibersin each of the distinct groups is defined as a fiber count, wherein eachof the fiber counts corresponds to a taggant fiber count, and wherein anumber of taggant fiber counts for each group of the distinguishableidentification fibers ranges from 1 to 4, and (4) correlating (i) thedistinct features in each group of the distinguishable identificationfibers and (ii) the taggant fiber counts to a database comprisingmanufacture specific taggants and determining a manufacturer of anacetate tow band and a customer of the acetate tow band or a ship-tolocation of the acetate tow band, wherein the acetate tow band comprisesthe identification fibers and the standard fibers, and wherein the fibersample comprises a portion of the acetate tow band or a portion of anarticle comprising the acetate tow band.

Listed below are additional non-limiting embodiments, E1-E38.

E1. A method for embedding supply chain information into fibers, themethod comprising:

obtaining standard fibers;

obtaining identification fibers, the identification fibers comprisingone or more groups of distinguishable identification fibers, each of thegroups of distinguishable identification fibers exhibiting acorresponding distinct feature or a corresponding combination ofdistinct features, and the identification fibers being associated withtaggant fiber counts, the taggant fiber counts being indicative a numberof the identification fibers in each of the groups; and

combining the standard fibers with the identification fibers, thedistinct features, the combinations of distinct features, and/or thetaggant fiber counts being representative of at least one component of asupply chain.

E2. The method of embodiment E1, wherein the distinct features comprisecross-section shapes and/or cross-section sizes.

E3. The method of embodiment E1, wherein the combinations of distinctfeatures exhibited by the groups comprise combinations of thecross-section shapes and/or the cross-section sizes.

E4. The method of any of embodiments E1-E3, wherein the at least onesupply chain component comprises a manufacturer, a manufacture site, amanufacturing line, a production run, a production date, a bale, awarehouse, a customer, and/or a ship-to location.

E5. The method of any of embodiments E1-E4, further comprisingestablishing a number of distinguishable identification fibers includedwithin each of the groups as the fiber count and determining thecorresponding taggant fiber count.

E6. The method of embodiment E5, wherein (i) the distinct features, (ii)the combinations of distinct features, (iii) the taggant fiber counts,and/or (iv) a number of taggant fiber counts are representative of theat least one supply chain component.

E7. The method of any of embodiments E1-E6, further comprisingreceiving, from a third party, information identifying (i) thecross-section shapes, (ii) the cross-section sizes, (iii) thecombinations of the distinct features exhibited by the groups. (iv) thetaggant fiber counts and/or (v) the number of taggant fiber counts.

E8. The method of any of embodiments E1-E7, further comprising:

identifying proposed cross-section shapes, proposed cross-section sizes,proposed distinct features, proposed combinations of distinct features,proposed taggant fiber counts, and/or proposed number of taggant fibercounts to represent the at least one component of the supply chain;

providing the proposed cross-section shapes, the proposed cross-sectionsizes, the proposed distinct features, the proposed combinations ofdistinct features, the proposed taggant fiber counts, and/or theproposed number of taggant fiber counts to a third party; and

receiving, from the third party, information indicative of an assignmentof the proposed cross-section shapes, the proposed cross-section sizes,the proposed distinct features, the proposed combinations of distinctfeatures, the proposed taggant fiber counts, and/or the proposed numberof taggant fiber counts to the at least one component of the supplychain.

E9. The method of any of embodiment E1-E7, further comprisingidentifying proposed cross-section shapes, proposed cross-section sizes,proposed distinct features, proposed combinations of distinct features,proposed taggant fiber counts, and/or proposed number of taggant fibercounts capable of representing the at least one component of the supplychain;

assigning the proposed cross-section shapes, the proposed cross-sectionsizes, the proposed distinct features, the proposed combinations ofdistinct features, the proposed taggant fiber counts, and/or theproposed number of taggant fiber counts to the at least one component ofthe supply chain.

E10. The method of any of embodiments E8 and E9, wherein the at leastone component of the supply chain corresponds to a manufacturer.

E11. The method of any of embodiments E1-E10, wherein thedistinguishable identification fibers include reference fibers, thereference fibers having a corresponding reference cross-section shapeand a corresponding reference cross-section size.

E12. The method of embodiment E11, wherein the reference cross-sectionsize corresponds to an average effective diameter of a plurality of thereference fibers, the average effective diameter being larger than orsmaller than the cross-section sizes associated with each of the groupsof the distinguishable identification fibers.

E13. The method of any of embodiments E11 and E12, wherein a sum of anumber of the reference fibers and a number of the other distinguishableidentification fibers have a predetermined value.

E14. The method of any of embodiments E1-E13, wherein a portion of atleast one of the standard fibers or the identification fibers comprisescellulose acetate fibers.

E15. The method of embodiment E14, further comprising combining thestandard fibers with the identification fibers to form a celluloseacetate tow band.

E16. The method of embodiment E15, further comprising producing aportion of at least one of a filter rod or cigarette filter from thecellulose acetate tow band.

E17. The method of any of embodiments E1-E16, further comprisingcombining the standard fibers with the identification fibers to form aportion of at least one of fabrics, other textile products, non-wovens,or absorbent products.

E18. The method of any of embodiments E1-E17, wherein obtaining thestandard fibers comprises producing at least a portion of the standardfibers on a first fiber production process.

E19. The method of embodiment E18, wherein the first fiber productionprocess comprises a dry-spinning process, a solution-spinning process, amelt-spinning process, an electro-spinning process, a gel-spinningprocess, a multi-component-spinning process, a melt-blowing process,and/or a solution-blowing process.

E20. The method of any of embodiments E18 and E19, wherein obtaining theidentification fibers comprises receiving at least a portion of theidentification fibers from a third party.

E21. The method of any of embodiments E18-E20, wherein obtaining theidentification fibers comprises producing at least a portion of theidentification fibers on a second fiber production process.

E22. The method of embodiment E21, wherein the second fiber productionprocess comprises a dry-spinning process, a solution-spinning process, amelt-spinning process, an electro-spinning process, a gel-spinningprocess, a multi-component-spinning process, a melt-blowing process,and/or a solution-blowing process.

E23. The method of any of embodiments E21 and E22, wherein the firstproduction process and the second fiber production process correspond toa common fiber production process.

E24. The method of any of embodiments E1-E23, further comprisinggenerating correlation data mapping the distinct features, thecombinations of distinct features, and/or the taggant fiber counts tothe at least one supply chain component

E25. The method of any of embodiments E1-E23, wherein generating thecorrelation data comprises mapping the distinct features, thecombinations of distinct features, the taggant fiber counts, and/or anumber of taggant fiber counts to the at least one supply chaincomponent.

E26. The method of any of embodiments E1-E25, further comprising:

generating a first structured list of components of the supply chain,the supply chain components having one or more corresponding attributes;establishing measurable gradations in the distinct features;

generating a second structured list comprising distinct combinations ofthe established measurable gradations of the distinct features;

generating a third structured list identifying potential groups of thedistinguishable identification fibers that exhibit corresponding ones ofthe distinct combinations included within the third structured list, thepotential groups of the distinguishable identification fibers beingcapable of representing the supply chain components included within thefirst structured list;

mapping the attributes of the supply chain components to the potentialgroups of the distinguishable identification fibers; and

storing correlation data reflecting the mapping of the attributes of thesupply chain components to the potential groups of the distinguishableidentification fibers.

E27. The method of embodiment E26, further comprising:

establishing a taggant fiber count for each of the potential groups; and

mapping the attributes of the supply chain components to the potentialgroups of the distinguishable identification fibers and the establishedtaggant fiber count of each of the potential groups.

E28. The method of embodiment E26, further comprising:

mapping subsets of the attributes of the supply chain components to thepotential groups of the distinguishable identification fibers; and

storing correlation data reflecting the mapping of the subsets of theattributes of the supply chain components to the potential groups of thedistinguishable identification fibers.

E29. The method of any of embodiments E1-E26, further comprising:

generating a first structured list of the supply chain components, thesupply chain components having one or more corresponding attributes;generating a second structured list of the distinct features;

establishing measurable gradations of the distinct features included inthe second structured list;

mapping elements of the first structured list to elements of the secondstructured list;

mapping the attributes of the supply chain components to the establishedmeasurable gradations; and

storing correlation data reflecting the mapping of the elements of thefirst and second structured lists and the mapping of the supplyattributes of the supply chain components to the established measurablegradations.

E30. The method of embodiment E29, wherein the supply chain componentscomprise an indication of a manufacturer, a manufacture site, amanufacturing line, a production run, a production date, a bale, awarehouse, a customer, and/or a ship-to location.

E31. The method of any of embodiments E29 and E30, wherein:

obtaining the identification fibers comprises producing at least aportion of the identification fibers; and

producing the portion of the identification fibers comprises:

-   -   receiving an indication of one or more supply chain components        to reflect in the identification fibers;    -   accessing the stored correlation data;    -   identifying, from the stored correlation data, at least one        applicable distinct feature mapped to the one or more selected        supply chain information components;    -   selecting at least one manufacturing method associated with        producing the identification fibers based on the at least one        applicable distinct feature; and    -   producing the identification fibers according to the selected at        least one manufacturing method.

E32. The method of embodiment E31, wherein selecting the at least onemanufacturing method comprises:

determining whether an introduction of the at least one of applicabledistinct features of the identification fibers includes manipulatingphysical properties of the identification fibers;

identifying one or more manufacturing methods for the identificationfibers based on the determination regarding the introduction of the atleast one applicable distinct feature of the identification fibers; and

producing the identification fibers according to the identified one ormore manufacturing methods.

E33. The method of embodiment E32, further comprising:

determining that the introduction of the at least one applicabledistinct feature of the identification fibers includes at least amanipulation of physical properties; and

determining one or more cross-section shapes for the identificationfibers.

E34. The method of embodiment E33, further comprising

determining a number of identification fibers that exhibit each of theone or more cross-section shapes.

E35. The method of any of embodiments E33 and E34, further comprising:

determining a cross-section size for identification fibers exhibitingeach of the one or more cross-section shapes.

E36. The method of any of embodiments E33-E35, further comprising:

determining that the introduction of the at least one applicabledistinct feature of the identification fibers includes at least amanipulation of physical properties; and

determining a number of identification fibers that exhibit each of theone or more cross-section shapes.

E37. The method of any of embodiments E33-E36, further comprising:

determining that the introduction of the at least one applicabledistinct feature of the identification fibers includes at least amanipulation of physical properties; and

determining one or more sizes exhibited by the identification fibers.

E38. The method of any of embodiments E33-E37, further comprising:

determining that the introduction of the at least one applicabledistinct feature of the identification fibers includes at least amanipulation of physical properties; and

determining a number of identification fibers exhibiting each of the oneor more cross-section sizes.

Listed below are further non-limiting embodiments, F1-F30.

F1. A method for identifying supply chain information from fibersamples, the method comprising:

analyzing a fiber sample for identification fibers, the identificationfibers comprising one or more groups of distinguishable identificationfibers, each of the groups of the distinguishable identification fibersexhibiting a corresponding distinct feature or a correspondingcombination of distinct features;

establishing taggant fiber counts for the identification fibers, thetaggant fiber counts being indicative of a number of the identificationfibers in each of the groups;

accessing correlation data mapping components of a supply chain to theexhibited distinct features, the exhibited combinations of distinctfeatures, and/or the established taggant fiber counts; and

based on the accessed correlation data, the exhibited distinct features,the exhibited combinations of distinct features, and/or the establishedtaggant fiber counts, identifying at least one component of the supplychain associated with the fiber sample.

F2. The method of embodiment F1, wherein the fiber sample comprisesstandard fibers and the identification fibers.

F3. The method of any of embodiments F1 and F2, wherein the distinctfeatures comprise cross-section shapes and/or cross-section sizes of thedistinguishable identification fibers.

F4. The method of embodiment F2, wherein the exhibited combinations ofdistinct features comprise distinct combinations of thecross-section-shapes and/or cross-section sizes.

F5. The method of any of embodiments F1-F4, wherein the supply chaincomponents comprise a manufacturer, a manufacture site, a manufacturingline, a production run, a production date, a bale, a warehouse, acustomer, and/or a ship-to location.

F6. The method of any of claims F1-F5, wherein the at least oneidentified supply chain component comprises a manufacturer, amanufacture site, a manufacturing line, a production run, a productiondate, a bale, a warehouse, a customer, and/or a ship-to location.

F7. The method of any of claims F1-F6, further comprising establishing anumber of distinguishable identification fibers within each of thegroups as the fiber count and determining the corresponding taggantfiber count.

F8. The method of embodiment F7, wherein:

the correlation data maps the supply chain components to (i) theexhibited distinct features, (ii) the exhibited combinations of distinctfeatures, (iii) the taggant fiber counts, and/or (iv) the number oftaggant fiber counts of each of the groups; and

the method further comprises identifying the at least one supply chaincomponent associated with the fiber sample based on the accessedcorrelation data, and the exhibited distinct features, the exhibitedcombinations of distinct features, the established taggant fiber counts,and/or the number of taggant fiber counts of each of the groups.

F9. The method of any of embodiments F1-F8, wherein the distinguishableidentification fibers comprise reference fibers, the reference fibershaving a corresponding reference cross-section shape and a correspondingreference cross-section size.

F10. The method of embodiment F9, wherein:

analyzing the fiber sample comprises identifying the reference fiberswithin the fiber sample; and

the method further comprises establishing a number of the referencefibers identified within the fiber sample.

F11. The method of any of embodiments F9 and F10, wherein the referencecross-section size corresponds to an average effective diameter of atleast a portion of the reference fibers, the effective diameter beinglarger than or smaller than cross-section sizes of the distinguishableidentification fibers.

F12. The method of embodiments F9-F11, wherein analyzing the fibersample comprises:

identifying the groups of distinguishable identification fibers withinthe fiber sample;

establishing a cross-section size of the distinguishable identificationfibers included within each of the groups;

determining that the cross-section size of the distinguishableidentification fibers included within a first one of the groups islarger than or smaller than the cross-section size of thedistinguishable identification fibers within each of the other groups;and

based on the determination, establishing the distinguishableidentification fibers included within the first group as the referencefibers.

F13. The method of embodiments F9-F11, wherein analyzing the fibersample comprises:

identifying the groups of distinguishable identification fibers withinthe fiber sample;

establishing the number of the distinguishable identification fibersincluded within each of the groups;

determining that the number of the distinguishable identification fibersincluded within a first one of the groups exceeds the numbers of thedistinguishable identification fibers within each of the other groups;and

based on the determination, establishing the distinguishableidentification fibers included within the first group as the referencefibers.

F14. The method of embodiment F13, wherein the determining comprisesdetermining that the number of the distinguishable identification fibersincluded within the first group exceeds a sum of the numbers of thedistinguishable identification fibers within the other groups.

F15. The method of embodiment F13, wherein the determining comprisesdetermining that the number of the distinguishable identification fibersincluded within the first group exceeds a maximum of the numbers of thedistinguishable identification fibers included within the other groups.

F16. The method of embodiment F15, wherein a ratio between (i) themaximum of the numbers of the distinguishable identification fibersincluded within the other groups and (ii) the number of thedistinguishable identification fibers included within the first group isat least 2:1.

F17. The method of any of embodiments F9-F11, wherein:

the accessed correlation data maps the supply chain components to theexhibited distinct features, the exhibited combinations of distinctfeatures, the established taggant fiber counts, the number of taggantfiber counts of each group, and/or the number of the reference fibersincluded within the fiber sample; and

the method further comprises identifying the at least one component ofthe supply chain based on the accessed correlation data, and theexhibited distinct features, the exhibited combinations of distinctfeatures, the taggant fiber counts, the number of taggant fiber countsof each group, and/or the reference fiber count.

F18. The method of any of embodiments F1-F17, wherein the fiber samplecomprises cellulose acetate fibers.

F19. The method of any of embodiments F1-F18, wherein the fiber samplecomprises a portion of a cellulose acetate tow band.

F20. The method of any of embodiments F1-F19, wherein the fiber samplecomprises a portion of at least one of a filter rod or cigarette filter.

F21. The method of any of embodiments F1-F20, wherein the fiber samplecomprises a portion of at least one of a textile product, a wovenfabric, a non-woven fabric, or an absorbent product.

F22. The method of any of embodiments F1-F21, further comprising:

receiving a request to identify supply chain information associated withthe fiber sample from a requesting entity; and

transmitting information identifying the at least one supply chaincomponent to the requesting entity.

F23. The method of embodiment F22, wherein the requesting entitycomprises a manufacturer, a customer, a governmental entity, a lawenforcement entity, or a third-party requestor.

F24. The method of any of embodiments F22 and F23, wherein:

identifying the at least one supply chain component comprisesidentifying a plurality of supply chain components based on thecorrelation data, and the exhibited distinct features, the exhibitedcombinations of distinct features, the established taggant fiber counts,and/or a number of the taggant fiber counts for each group; and

the transmitting comprises transmitting information identifying a subsetof the plurality of supply chain components to the requesting entity.

F25. The method of any of embodiments F22-F24, wherein the transmittingfurther comprises transmitting information identifying a manufacturer tothe requesting entity.

F26. The method of any of embodiments F22-F25, further comprisingtransmitting a portion of at least one of the exhibited distinctfeatures, combinations of distinct features, or the established taggantfiber counts to the requesting entity.

F27. The method of any of claims F1-F26, wherein the analyzing comprisessubjecting the fiber sample to an imaging technology.

Listed below are further non-limiting embodiments, H1-H20.

H1. A method of making a yarn or a fiber band comprising fibers, whereinthe fibers comprise identification fibers and standard fibers, whereinthe standard fibers comprise cellulose acetate, and wherein the methodcomprises:

(a) obtaining the identification fibers

(b) producing the standard fibers on a first fiber production process;and

(c) combining the identification fibers and the standard fibers into anacetate tow band,

wherein each of the identification fibers exhibits at least one distinctfeature, wherein the identification fibers consist of one or more groupsof distinguishable identification fibers, each group of distinguishableidentification fibers being formed by the identification fibers havingthe same distinct feature or the same combination of distinct features,wherein a number of the identification fibers in each group ofdistinguishable identification fibers is defined as a fiber count,wherein at least one of the fiber counts corresponds to a taggant fibercount, and wherein (i) the distinct features in each group ofdistinguishable identification fibers and (ii) the one or more taggantfiber counts are representative of at least one supply chain componentof the acetate tow band.

H2. The method of embodiment H1, wherein the obtaining of theidentification fibers comprises at least one of (i) producing a portionof the identification fibers on the first fiber production process, (ii)producing a portion of the identification fibers on a second fiberproduction process, or (iii) receiving at least a portion of theidentification fibers from a third party.

H3. The method of any of embodiments H1-H2, wherein the distinctfeatures comprise one or more taggant cross-section shapes and/or one ormore taggant cross-section sizes and wherein a number of taggant fibercounts for each group of the distinguishable identification fibersranges from 1 to 20, 1 to 10, 1 to 5, 1 to 4, 1 to 3.

H4. The method of embodiment H3, wherein the identification fibers areproduced using distinguishable spinneret holes, each group of thedistinguishable spinneret holes being formed by spinneret holes havingthe same distinguishable spinneret hole geometry, wherein each group ofthe distinguishable identification fibers are produced using acorresponding group of the distinguishable spinneret holes.

H5. The method of embodiments H4, wherein all of the distinguishablespinneret holes are contained in a single spinneret.

H6. The method of any of embodiments H3-H5, wherein a number of thetaggant cross-section shapes ranges from 1 to 25, 1 to 20; 1 to 10; 1 to5; 1 to 4; 1 to 3; 2 to 20; 2 to 10; 2 to 5; or 3 to 10.

H7. The method of any of embodiments H3-H6, wherein a portion of thedistinguishable spinneret hole geometries are selected from the groupconsisting of triangle, circle, rectangle, square, flattened round,trapezoid, hexagon, pentagon, and D-shaped.

H8. The method of any of embodiments H3-H7, wherein a number of thetaggant cross-section sizes ranges from 1 to 10, 1 to 5; 1 to 4; 1 to 3;2 to 10; 2 to 5; or 3 to 10, wherein a ratio of a larger of the taggantcross-section sizes to an average cross-section size of the standardfibers ranges from 10:1 to 1.1:1, or 5:1 to 1.1:1, or 2:1 to 1.1:1,and/or wherein a ratio of a smaller of the taggant cross-section sizesto the average cross-section size of the standard fibers ranges from1:10 to 1:1.1, or 1:5 to 1:1.1, or 1:2 to 1:1.1, and wherein the largertaggant cross-section size, the smaller taggant cross-section size, andthe average cross-section size are determined based upon an effectivediameter.

H9. The method of any of embodiments H3-H8, wherein the identificationfibers comprise acrylic, modacrylic, aramid, nylon, polyester,polypropylene, rayon, polyacrylonitrile, polyethylene, PTFE, orcellulose acetate.

H10. The method of any of embodiments H4-H9, wherein the distinguishableidentification fibers comprise reference fibers, wherein the referencefibers exhibit a reference cross-section size and a referencecross-section shape, wherein the reference fibers are produced using thedistinguishable spinneret holes comprising reference spinneret holes.

H11. The method of embodiment H10, wherein a ratio of at least one ofthe taggant cross-section sizes to the reference cross-section sizeranges from 20:1 to 1.1:1, or 10:1 to 1.1:1, or 5:1 to 1.1:1, or 2:1 to1.1:1 and wherein the taggant cross-section size and the referencecross-section size are determined based upon an effective diameter.

H12. The method of any of embodiments H10-H11, wherein a ratio of thereference cross-section size to a at least one of the taggantcross-section sizes ranges from 20:1 to 1.1:1, or 10:1 to 1.1:1, or 5:1to 1.1:1, or 2:1 to 1.1:1, and wherein the reference cross-section sizeand the taggant cross-section size are determined based upon aneffective diameter.

H13. The method of any of embodiments H4-H12, wherein a number of eachof the distinguishable spinneret holes is selected to produce each ofthe fiber counts.

H14. The method of any of embodiments H10-H13, wherein a number of thereference spinneret holes is selected to produce a larger number of thereference fibers than any other of the fiber counts.

H15. The method of any of embodiments H1-H13, wherein the at least onesupply chain supply chain component comprises manufacturer of thestandard fibers, a manufacture site of the standard fibers, amanufacturing line of the standard fibers, a production run of thestandard fibers, a production date of the standard fibers, a package ofthe standard fibers, a warehouse of the standard fibers, a customer ofthe standard fibers, a ship-to location of the standard fibers, amanufacturer of a yarn or fiber band comprising the standard fibers, amanufacturing site of the yarn or fiber band, a manufacturing line ofthe yarn or fiber band, a production run of the yarn or fiber band, aproduction date of the yarn or fiber band, a package of the yarn orfiber band, a warehouse of the yarn or fiber band, a customer of theyarn or fiber band, a ship-to location of the yarn or fiber band, amanufacturer of an article comprising the standard fibers, a manufacturesite of the article, a manufacturing line of the article, a productionrun of the article, a production date of the article, a package of thearticle, a warehouse of the article, a customer of the article, or aship-to location of the article.

H16. The method of embodiment H15, wherein the at least one supply chaincomponent comprises the manufacturer of the yarn or fiber band and thecustomer of the yarn or fiber band.

H17. The method of embodiment 15, wherein the at least one supply chaincomponent comprises the manufacturer of the yarn of fiber band and theship-to location of the yarn or fiber band.

H18. The method of any of embodiments H1-H17, wherein the standardfibers comprise acrylic, modacrylic, aramid, nylon, polyester,polypropylene, rayon, polyacrylonitrile, polyethylene, PTFE, orcellulose acetate.

H19. The method of any of embodiments H1-H18, wherein the standardfibers are produced using at least one of dry spinning, solutionspinning, melt spinning, electro spinning, gel spinning, multi-componentspinning, melt blowing, and/or solution blowing; or the fibers areproduced using at least one of dry spinning, solution spinning, meltspinning, electro spinning, gel spinning, and/or multi-componentspinning; or the fibers are produced using at least one of dry spinning,solution spinning, and/or melt spinning.

H20. The method of any of embodiments H2-H19, wherein the identificationfibers are produced using at least one of dry spinning, solutionspinning, melt spinning, electro spinning, gel spinning, multi-componentspinning, melt blowing, and/or solution blowing; or the fibers areproduced using at least one of dry spinning, solution spinning, meltspinning, electro spinning, gel spinning, and/or multi-componentspinning; or the fibers are produced using at least one of dry spinning,solution spinning, and/or melt spinning.

EXAMPLES Sample Preparation for Fibers Examples 1 and 2

The fibers were washed with ether solvent to remove the spin finish anddyed red. The fibers were then stretched across a frame and epoxiedtogether to form a rigid rod of encapsulated fibers. The epoxied rod offibers was cut perpendicular to the fiber axis to form a sample of 3micron thickness. The sample was placed endwise on a microscope slidewith cover plate and observed and photographed under a microscope.

Sample Preparation for Filter Rods Examples 3-16

25 g of Electron Microscopy Sciences® Epo-Fix low viscosity resin with 3g of hardener were mixed together. To the mixture was added 0.5 mL ofdye mixture (14 g of ORCO® Orcocil Red B dye in 760 mL of ethanol). Themixture was stirred slowly until it was homogeneous. A 1.5-mL microcentrifugation tube was filled to ¾ capacity with the epoxy mixture. A10 mm thick specimen from a filter rod was cut and placed on top of theepoxy. The filter was allowed to absorb the epoxy and the tube wasplaced in a tray and left in a controlled laboratory environment for upto 12 hours to allow the epoxy mixture to harden and embed the filterrod specimen. The specimen was removed from the tube by pitching thebottom of the tube with pliers.

The specimen was placed in a vice and a jeweler's saw was used to cutthe specimen to a size suitable for the polishing chuck. The specimenwas polished using the Allied MultiPrep polishing system with thefollowing media and rotation speed sequence.

(1) 600 grit silicon carbide at 200 rpm

(2) 800 grit silicon carbide paper at 125 rpm

(3) Pan-B polishing mat with 6 micron diamond suspension at 100 rpm

(4) Pan-B polishing mat with 3 micron diamond suspension at 75 rpm

(5) Pan-B polishing mat with 1 micron diamond suspension at 50 rpm

(6) Final-A polishing mat with 0.5 micron diamond suspension at 30 rpm

The diamond suspensions were in polycrystalline glycol. After eachpolishing step, the specimen was rinsed with water, dried undernitrogen, and visually inspected using a compound microscope to ensurethat the scratches from the previous step were sufficiently removed.

Image analysis of the polished specimen was generated by the followingtechnique. The polished specimen was placed on an Olympus MZ-130×85motorized microscope stage. Either the 5× or 10× magnification settingwas activated. BX61 STREAM Motion system software was opened. The“Define MIA scanning area with stage” function in the software's“Process Manager” was used to identify the top left and bottom rightcorners of the polished specimen. Each frame was focused as indicated bythe software, the image collection process was run, and the data wassaved. The software can be used to produce a single stitched image ofthe full filter rod cross-section.

Example 1

A cellulose acetate yarn was produced with three different filamentsizes. A single 19-hole spinneret contained the three differently sizedholes. The 7 medium-size holes represented 36.8% of the total number ofspinneret holes. The 6 large size holes were 1.32 times the area of themedium-size holes and represented 31.6% of the spinneret holes. The 6small size holes were 0.67 times the area of the medium-size holes andrepresented 31.6% of the spinneret holes.

The yarn was produced using the above-described spinneret with typicalproduction conditions for acetate yarn. Multiple plies of the yarn werewound to produce a fiber band with several hundred filaments. The sampleof the fibers was prepared according to the sample preparation methoddiscussed above. A representative photomicrograph of the cross-sectionsis shown in FIG. 1. The areas of 275 individual filament cross-sectionswere measured. The filament areas were grouped into bins to produce afilament area distribution.

The measured filament area distribution was fit with the sum of threeindependent Gaussian distributions using the Solver function inMicrosoft EXCEL. The mean, standard deviation, and a scalar (amplitudefactor) were determined for each of the three Gaussian distributionswith the constraint that the three scalars summed to 1.0. Areameasurements and statistical analysis for the fibers produced from smallsize holes, medium-size holes, and large size holes are given in Table 1under columns labeled 1, 2, and 3 respectively. Pair-wise t-tests showedthat the three Gaussian distributions are significantly different at the99% confidence level. For each Gaussian distribution, ‘n’ was taken tobe the corresponding scalar times the total number of filaments. Thisstatistical analysis is summarized in Table 1.

These results show that filaments of different sizes can be producedfrom the same spinneret and can be recognized as significantly differentby routine image analysis.

TABLE 1 Parameters and statistical comparison of optimized Gaussiandistributions for Example 1 1 2 3 Mean 0.587 1.003 1.406 Standard 0.0940.092 0.099 Deviation Scalar 0.364 0.335 0.301 ‘n’ = scalar × 275 100 9282 Statistical #2-#1 #3-#2 #3-#1 comparison t-statistic 31.07 27.6056.75 Degrees of 190 172 180 freedom t-critical, 95% 1.97 1.97 1.97t-critical, 99% 2.60 2.60 2.60

Example 2

A cellulose acetate yarn was produced using a 19 hole spinneret withtriangle, circle, and square holes. FIG. 2 gives a photomicrographshowing the cross-section shapes of the fibers.

Example 3

Taggant spinnerets were manufactured with the same hole pattern and holesize as is typically used to produce an acetate tow item with a nominal3.0 filament denier and 32,000 total denier. Each taggant spinneret had20 round holes and 20 square holes with the remaining holes all beingtriangles as typically used to make tri-lobal or “Y” cross sectionfibers. One taggant spinneret was installed on an acetate tow productionline to produce a nominal 3.0 filament denier and 32,000 total denierband which corresponds to 11,160 filaments. The number of spinneretholes with taggant cross-section shapes and total number of spinneretholes is given in Table 2. The tow was produced, conditioned, and baledusing standard manufacturing conditions.

Filter rods were produced from the tow on an AF4/KDF4 plug maker at atape speed of 600 m/m. The rod length was 120 mm. The combined weight ofthe paper and glue was 91 mg/rod, and the plasticizer weight was 44mg/rod. Table 3 shows the average tow weight, pressure drop, andcircumference, as well as the standard deviation, for 30 filter rods ofeach Example. FIG. 3 shows a stitched image of a full filter rodcross-section with an expanded region; the filter rod was made withacetate tow from Example 3. All 40 taggant fibers were counted in thefilter rod.

TABLE 2 The number of each of two taggant cross-section shapes in eachExample Taggant Number of holes Example spinnerets Round Square TriangleTotal 3 1 20 20 11,120 11,160 4 2 40 40 11,080 11,160 5 3 60 60 11,04011,160 6 4 80 80 11,000 11,160 7 5 100 100 10,960 11,160 8 6 120 12010,920 11,160 9 7 140 140 10,880 11,160 10 8 160 160 10,840 11,160 11 00 0 11,160 11,160

TABLE 3 Properties of filter rods comprising identification fibers TowWeight, Pressure Drop, MG mm w.g. Circumference, mm Std. Std. Std.Sample Average Dev. Average Dev. Average Dev. 3 550.6 5.5 316.5 6.424.27 0.04 4 554.8 4.5 316.5 5.6 24.28 0.05 5 555.1 7.0 317.7 7.2 24.280.04 6 558.4 5.7 314.3 5.9 24.29 0.03 7 552.6 5.9 315.1 7.1 24.29 0.05 8550.5 5.2 315.6 6.1 24.28 0.04 9 556.2 6.5 318.9 6.2 24.29 0.04 10 553.34.9 311.5 5.2 24.29 0.03 11 552.8 5.3 320.0 7.2 24.28 0.04 Average 553.8316.2 24.28 Std. 2.6 2.5 0.01 Dev.

Examples 4-11

Example 3 was repeated using the number of taggant spinnerets andcorresponding number of holes as given in Table 2. Example 11 used notaggant spinnerets. The number of taggant fibers were also counted in afilter rod made from Example 4 and all of the expected taggant fiberswere detected.

The average weight, pressure drop, and circumference of the filter rodsmade using the acetate tow from each of the examples is given in Table3. The average weight and pressure drop for each of the 9 Examples arewithin two-sigma of the grand averages which indicates that inclusion ofthe identification fibers produced using round and square spinneretholes did not have a statistically significant effect on the measuredrod properties.

Example 12

An acetate yarn sample was produced with a single spinneret having 19flattened round holes. The taggant yarn sample was wound onto a package.The yarn sample was withdrawn from its package and fed into a tow bandprior to crimping. The cellulose acetate tow was a typical commercial,“Y” cross section tow item with a nominal 3.0 filament denier and 32,000total denier.

The tow sample with the taggant yarn was produced, conditioned, andbaled using the same manufacturing conditions as normally used for thetow item. Filter rods were produced from the tow on an AF4/KDF4 plugmaker at a tape speed of 600 m/m. The rod length was 120 mm. Thecombined weight of the paper and glue was 91 mg/rod, and the plasticizerweight was 44 mg/rod.

A sample of a filter rod from each Example was prepared for analysis bythe analytical procedure described above. All 19 taggant filamentsincluded in the tow band were identified in the sample.

Examples 13-16

Example 12 was repeated using hexagon, pentagon, “D”, and circle shapedspinneret holes, respectively. The yarns of Example 16 were dyed red.All 19 taggant filaments included in each tow band were identified inthe sample of the corresponding filter rod. FIG. 4 shows the spinnerethole shapes in the fiber images made from each of the hole shapes forExamples 12-15.

Examples 12-16 show the ability to insert taggant yarns with differentcross-section shapes into a tow band and successfully identify thetaggant yarns in a filter rod.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate non-limiting examples of an environment 500depicting communication and shipping channels among entities consistentwith disclosed embodiments. In one embodiment, environment 500 of FIGS.5A and 5B may include one or more manufacturers 510, one or morecustomers 520, a black market 540 or other illicit trade network, one ormore requesting parties 530, one or more laboratories 560, andcommunication network 550. The components and arrangement of thecomponents included in environment 500 (e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 5Aand 5B) may vary. Thus, environment 500 may include other componentsthat perform or assist in the performance of one or more processesconsistent with the disclosed embodiments.

In some aspects, network 550 may be any type of network configured toprovide communication means between systems of components of environment500 (e.g., manufacturing system 512 and/or laboratory system 562). Forexample, network 550 may be any type of network (includinginfrastructure) that facilitates communications, exchanges information,etc., such as the Internet, a Local Area Network, near fieldcommunication, and/or other suitable connection(s) that enables thesending and receiving of information between the component systemsassociated with environment 500. In other embodiments, one or morecomponent systems of environment 500 may communicate directly through adedicated communication link(s), such as links between manufacturer 510,customer 520, requesting party 530, and/or laboratory 560.

Further, and as stated above, manufacturers (e.g., manufacturer 510) mayproduce cellulose acetate fibers and fiber products that incorporate thecellulose acetate fibers on an industrial scale. In some embodiments,the produced cellulose acetate fibers and fiber products may includestandard fibers and identification fibers. Each of the identificationfibers exhibits one or more distinct features (e.g., distinctcross-section sizes, and additionally or alternatively, distinctcross-section shapes) that visually distinguish the identificationfibers from the standard fibers. In additional aspects, theidentification fibers may include groups of distinguishableidentification fibers that exhibit the same distinct feature or the samecombination of the distinct features. Further, in some aspects, each ofthe groups may be associated with a corresponding number of thedistinguishable identification fibers, defined as the fiber count whichmay correspond to a taggant fiber count. In some aspects a number oftaggant fiber counts may be associated with each group of thedistinguishable identification fibers may.

In some embodiments, the inclusion of identification fibers in thecellulose acetate fibers may enable manufacturer 510 to tag thecellulose acetate fibers, and thus, the fiber products that include thecellulose acetate fibers, with supply chain information prior toshipment to customers 520. By way of example, fiber products consistentwith the disclosed embodiments may include, but are not limited to,cellulose acetate tow, loose bands of cellulose acetate tow, bales ofcellulose acetate tow, and fabrics and other articles that include thecellulose acetate fibers and/or tow.

For example, and in the context of cigarette manufacturing, customer 520may use a bale of acetate tow to produce various intermediate and/orfinal stage products (e.g., loose tow band, filter rods, filters, and/orcigarettes) and a fraction of these products can ultimately find theirway onto the black market (e.g., black market 440). Thus, because supplychain information can be determined from a sample of any black marketproduct having tagged identification fibers, a party interested incombating illicit trade (e.g., requesting party 530) may obtain a blackmarket product and submit a sample for analysis in order to identifysupply chain information associated with the black market product.

Thus, in one embodiment, requesting party 530 may provide the sample tomanufacturer 510, as depicted in FIG. 5A. Manufacturer 510 may, incertain aspects, analyze the sample to identify at least one componentof a supply chain associated with the sample. For example, the samplemay include standard and identification fibers, and in some instances,manufacturer 510 may analyze the sample using any of the exemplarytechniques outlined above.

Based on the analysis, manufacturer 510 may identify groups ofdistinguishable identification fibers that exhibit correspondingdistinct features or combinations of distinct features. As noted above,the distinct features include, but are not limited to, cross-sectionsize and/or cross-section shape. Manufacturer 510 may also identify thefiber count, the number of identification fibers in each of the groupsof distinguishable identification fibers. Manufacturer 510 may alsoestablish a number of taggant fiber counts for the exhibited groups ofdistinguishable identification fibers that, in some instances, representthe number of the taggant fiber count alternatives available for eachgroup of the distinguishable identification fibers.

In certain aspects, manufacturer 510 may access correlation data mappingcomponents of the supply chain to the exhibited distinct features,combinations of distinct features and/or the established taggant fibercounts. Manufacturer 510 may identify the at least one component of thesupply chain based on, for example, a comparison of the exhibiteddistinct features, combinations of distinct features and/or theestablished taggant fiber counts to the accessed correlation data. Insome instances, manufacturer 510 may transmit information identifyingthe at least one supply chain component to requesting party 530 (e.g.,across network 550).

In further embodiments, the accessed correlation data may map the supplychain components to not only the exhibited distinct features,combinations of distinct features, the taggant fiber counts, but also toa number of taggant fiber counts for each group of distinguishableidentification fibers. Thus, in some aspects, manufacturer 510 may alsoestablish (i.e., count) the number of the distinguishable identificationfibers included within each of the groups and determine thecorresponding taggant fiber count, and may identify the at least onecomponent of the supply chain based on, for example, a comparison of theexhibited distinct features, combinations of distinct features, theestablished taggant fiber counts, and/or the number of taggant fibercount to the accessed correlation data.

Further, as noted above, the distinguishable identification fibers mayinclude reference fibers having a corresponding reference cross-sectionshape and a corresponding reference cross-section size. The referencecross-section may, for example, represent an average effective diameterof at least a portion of the reference fibers, and in some aspects, thereference cross-section size may exceed, or alternatively, be smallerthan, the cross-section sizes of each of the other distinguishableidentification fibers in the sample. Thus, in an embodiment,manufacturer 510 may determine that a cross-section size of a firstgroup of the distinguishable identification fibers is larger than orsmaller than the cross-section sizes of each of the other groups of thedistinguishable identification fibers (e.g., using any of the exemplarytechniques described above), and may establish the first group of thedistinguishable identification fibers as the reference fibers.

In further aspects, a number of the reference fibers within the samplemay exceed the numbers of the distinguishable identification fiberswithin the other groups of distinguishable identification fibers. Thus,in an embodiment, manufacturer 510 may count the number ofidentification fibers included within each of the groups ofdistinguishable identification fibers, determine that the number of thedistinguishable identification fibers included within a first groups ofthe distinguishable identification fibers exceeds the numbers of thedistinguishable identification fibers within one or more of the othergroups of distinguishable identification fibers, and based on thedetermination, establish the first group of distinguishableidentification fibers as the reference fibers. For example, the numberof reference fibers in the sample may exceed a sum of the numbers of thedistinguishable identification fibers within each other of the groups ofdistinguishable identification fibers, and additionally oralternatively, the number of reference fibers may exceed a maximum ofthe numbers of the distinguishable identification fibers included withincorresponding ones of the other groups of distinguishable identificationfibers.

Furthermore, correlation data consistent with the disclosed embodimentsmay map the supply chain components to not only the exhibited distinctfeatures, combinations of distinct features, the established taggantfiber counts, and/or the number of taggant fiber counts, but also to thenumber of reference fibers counted within the sample. Thus, in someaspects, manufacturer 510 may identify the at least one component of thesupply chain based on, for example, a comparison of the exhibiteddistinct features and combinations of distinct features, the establishedtaggant fiber counts, the number of taggant fiber counts and/or thenumber of reference fibers counted within the sample to the accessedcorrelation data.

In the exemplary embodiments described above, manufacturer 510 mayanalyze the sample to identify at least one component of a supply chainassociated with the sample. The disclosed embodiments are, however, notlimited to exemplary analyses conducted by manufacturer 510, and infurther embodiments, customer 520, requesting party 530, or athird-party (not shown) may conduct the analysis for identifying supplychain information from tagged fibers.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, a laboratory 560 may act onbehalf of requesting party 530 and perform the analysis on the sample toidentify the at least one supply chain component associated with thesample. In some instances, laboratory 560 may represent a governmentalentity, a quasi-governmental entity, or a private entity capable ofperforming the analysis, and requesting party 530 may contract with orretain laboratory 560 to perform the analysis on a one-time or recurringbasis.

In other instances, however, laboratory 560 may be established by one ofmore of manufacturer 510, customers 520, and/or requesting party 530 inorder to regularly and reliably identify supply chain componentsassociated with samples taken from illicitly traded cellulose acetatefibers or fiber products that incorporate the cellulose acetate fibers(e.g., as obtained by requesting party 530 from black market 540).Laboratory 560 may, in certain aspects, perform the analysis of thesample in accordance with one or more procedures established by amanufacturer 510, customers 520, and/or requesting party 530. Forexample, one or more of manufacturer 510, customers 520, and/orrequesting party 530 may collectively establish standardized proceduresand protocols for receiving and handling samples, analyzing the samplesto identify the supply chain components in an accurate and repeatablemanner, and reporting portions of the identified supply chain componentsto manufacturer 510, customers 520, and/or requesting party 530.Further, in additional embodiments, laboratory 560 may also assign thedistinct features, combinations of distinct features, the taggant fibercounts, and/or the number of taggant fiber counts to various componentsof the supply chain (e.g., manufacturers) to uniquely identify thesesupply chain components. In further embodiments, customer 520,requesting party 530, or a third-party (not shown) may assign thisdistinct features, the combinations of distinct features, the taggantfiber counts, and/or the number of taggant fiber counts to variouscomponents of the supply chain (e.g., manufacturers) to uniquelyidentify these supply chain components.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, requesting party 530 mayprovide the sample to laboratory 560. Laboratory 560 may, in certainaspects, analyze the sample to identify at least one component of asupply chain associated with the sample (e.g., a manufacturer). Forexample, using any of the exemplary techniques described above,laboratory 560 may analyze the sample to identify each of the groups ofdistinguishable identification fibers that exhibits the same distinctfeatures and/or the same combination of distinct features, count anumber of distinguishable identification fibers included within each ofthe groups (establishing the taggant fiber count for each group ofdistinguishable identification fibers), and additionally oralternatively, identify and count a number of reference fibers withinthe sample. Further, laboratory 560 may access correlation data, andusing any of the exemplary techniques described above, identify the atleast one supply chain component based on a comparison of the exhibiteddistinct features, combinations of distinct features, the establishedtaggant fiber counts, the number of taggant fiber counts, and/or thenumber of reference fibers included within the sample to the accessedcorrelation data.

In additional embodiments, laboratory 560 may function as a centralizedfacility that assigns unique distinct features, combinations of distinctfeatures (e.g., as exhibited by groups of distinguishable identificationfibers), taggant fiber counts (e.g., representative of the number offibers in each group of distinguishable identification fibers), and/or anumber of taggant fiber counts (e.g., as representative of a number ofthe of alternative fiber counts) to various components of the supplychain (e.g., to manufacturer 510). For example, laboratory 560 mayassign, to manufacturer 510, a particular taggant fiber count (e.g., ataggant fiber count of ten) and/or particular combinations ofcross-section size and shape (e.g., large and small Y-shapedidentification fibers, and large and small D-shaped identificationfibers).

When exhibited by identification fibers included within celluloseacetate fibers and corresponding fiber products produced by manufacturer510, the assigned combinations of cross-section size and cross-sectionshape and/or taggant fiber counts may uniquely represent manufacturer510 and may enable laboratory 560 (and additionally or alternatively,any other entity within environment 500) to identify manufacturer 510 asa source of the fiber products using any of the analytical techniquesdescribed above. Further, laboratory 560 (and additionally oralternatively, any other entity within environment 500) may alsoestablish and maintain data records (e.g., within a centralized databaseimplemented using the exemplary computing systems outlined below) thatidentify a correlation between the various supply chain components(e.g., manufacturer 510) and corresponding ones of the assigned distinctfeatures, combinations of distinct features, taggant fiber counts,and/or number of taggant fiber counts.

The disclosed embodiments are, however, not limited to the assignment ofexemplary taggant fiber counts, cross-section sizes, and cross-sectionshapes to manufacturer 510. In further embodiments, laboratory 560 mayassign any additional or alternate set or combinations of sets ofdistinct features to uniquely identify manufacturer 510. For example,laboratory 560 may assign one or more cross-section sizes and/or one ormore cross-section shapes to manufacturer 510.

In certain aspects, laboratory 560 may establish a centralizedrepository for data and data records (e.g., using any of the exemplarycomputing systems outlined below) that correlate the various supplychain components (e.g., manufacturer 510) to corresponding ones oftaggant fiber counts, distinct features, combinations of distinctfeatures, and/or number of taggant fiber counts. Further, in otheraspects, laboratory 560 may access the centralized repository andgenerate one or more reports specifying the taggant fiber counts, thedistinct features, the combinations of distinct features, and/or thenumber of taggant fiber counts that uniquely identify at least one ofthe supply chain components (e.g., manufacturers). Laboratory 560 may,in some instances, generate the reports at predetermined intervals or inresponse to received requests (e.g., from requesting party 530,manufacturer 510, etc.), and may provide the generated reports tovarious parties and entities within environment 500 (e.g., acrossnetwork 550).

In some embodiments, laboratory 560 may access the centralizedrepository to identify at least one supply chain component (e.g.,manufacturer 510) associated with a distinct feature, combination ofdistinct features, taggant fiber counts, and/or number of taggant fibercounts determined by laboratory 560 (e.g., using any of the analyticaltechniques outlined above) and additionally or alternatively, obtainedfrom any third party or other entity within environment 500. Further,and as described below, the centralized repository may enable laboratory560 to determine whether proposed distinct features, combinations ofdistinct features, proposed taggant fiber counts, and/or proposed numberof taggant fiber counts (e.g., as selected by manufacturer 510) arecapable of uniquely representing fibers and fiber products ofmanufacturer 510 that are introduced into the supply chain.

In certain embodiments, laboratory 560 may receive proposed distinctfeatures, combinations of distinct features (e.g., proposedcross-section sizes and/or cross-section shapes), proposed taggant fibercounts, and/or proposed number of taggant fiber counts from manufacturer510. Laboratory 560 may, for example, compare the proposed distinctfeatures, combinations of distinct features, proposed taggant fibercounts, and/or proposed number of taggant fiber counts against theestablished data records (e.g., within the centralized repository) todetermine whether these proposed distinct features, combinations ofdistinct features, proposed taggant fiber counts, and/or proposed numberof taggant fiber counts are capable of uniquely identifying manufacturer510 (e.g., that the proposed distinct features, combinations of distinctfeatures, proposed taggant fiber, pace that counts are assigned to noother supply chain components, such as another manufacturer). If theproposed distinct features, combinations of distinct features, proposedtaggant fiber counts, and/or proposed number of taggant fiber countscould uniquely represent manufacturer 510, laboratory 560 may assign theproposed distinct features, combinations of distinct features, proposedtaggant fiber counts, and/or proposed number of taggant fiber counts tomanufacturer 510, update the data records to reflect the assignment, andprovide confirmation of the assignment to manufacturer 510 (e.g.,between computing systems of laboratory 560 and manufacturer 510 acrossnetwork 550).

Alternatively, if laboratory 560 previously assigned the proposeddistinct features, combinations of distinct features, proposed taggantfiber counts and/or proposed number of taggant fiber counts to anothermanufacturer (or the proposed distinct features, combinations ofdistinct features, proposed taggant fiber counts, and/or proposed numberof taggant fiber counts are inappropriate to represent manufacturer510), laboratory 560 may assign alternate distinct features,combinations of distinct features, alternate taggant fiber counts,and/or alternative number of taggant fiber counts to manufacturer 510,update the data records to reflect the alternate assignment, and provideconfirmation of the alternate assignment to manufacturer 510. In otheraspects, laboratory 560 could provide, to manufacturer 510, anindication of the assignment of the proposed distinct features,combinations of distinct features, taggant fiber counts, and/or numberof taggant fiber counts to another manufacturer, and request thatmanufacturer 510 propose additional distinct features, combination ofdistinct features, taggant fiber counts, and/or number of taggant fibercounts for assignment by laboratory 560, as described above.

In certain aspects, upon confirmation of the assignment, manufacturer510 may obtain and/or produce identification fibers that exhibit theassigned distinct features, combinations of distinct features, thetaggant fiber counts, number of taggant fiber counts. For example, theobtained or produced identification fibers may include groups ofdistinguishable identification fibers that exhibit the assigned distinctfeatures or combinations of distinct features and further, are presentin the fiber counts that correspond to the assigned taggant fibercounts.

In other aspects, however, manufacturer 510 may further correlate theassigned distinct features, combinations of distinct features, thetaggant fiber counts, and/or number of taggant fiber counts to one ormore upstream components of the supply chain (e.g., a manufacture site,a manufacturing line, a production run, a production date, a bale)and/or various downstream components of the supply chain (e.g., awarehouse, a customer, a ship-to location, etc.). For example,manufacturer 510 may further specify fiber counts, in combination withthe assigned distinct features, combinations of distinct features,taggant fiber counts, and/or number of taggant fiber counts uniquelyrepresent a particular customer within the supply chain (e.g., customer520).

The disclosed embodiments are, however, not limited to techniques thatenable manufacturer 510 to correlate customer 510 to assigned distinctfeatures, combinations of distinct features, taggant fiber counts,and/or number of taggant fiber counts. In further embodiments,manufacturer 510 may specify any additional or alternate taggantinformation (e.g., numbers of reference fibers, etc.) to represent otherupstream or downstream supply components (or combinations thereof) inconjunction with the assigned distinct features, combinations ofdistinct features, taggant fiber counts, and/or number of taggant fibercounts.

In some aspects, while laboratory 560, or another entity, may maintaininformation linking manufacturer 510 to assigned distinct features,combinations of distinct features, taggant fiber counts, and/or numberof taggant fiber counts manufacturer 510 may hold confidentialadditional taggant information (e.g., fiber counts, numbers of referencefibers, non-assigned taggant fiber counts, etc.) that linksidentification fibers, and thus fiber products produced by manufacturer510, to other upstream and downstream components of the supply chain.The confidentiality of the additional taggant information may, incertain instances, enable manufacturer 510 to prevent laboratory 560from identifying customers (e.g., customer 520), ship-to locations,warehouses, and other internal supply chain components (e.g.,manufacture site or line, and production run or date) associated withmanufacturer 510.

The embodiments described above identify particular combinations oftaggant information that correlate to a specific component of a supplychain and, when exhibited in identification fibers of a sample, enable alaboratory, a manufacturer, or other entities to identify the specificsupply chain component associated with the sample. One of ordinary skillin the art would, however, understand that the disclosed embodiments arenot limited to the particular combinations or taggant informationoutlined above, and in further embodiments, specific supply chaincomponents may be correlated with any additional or alternate physical,chemical, and/or optical characteristic exhibited by the identificationfibers. Moreover, while not depicted in FIGS. 5A and 5B, one of skill inthe art would understand that entities associated with environment 500(shown and not shown) may employ one or more warehouses to store rawmaterials, intermediate products, final stage products, etc. inconducting operations consistent with disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates a non-limiting example of a computing system 600 usedby one or more entities consistent with disclosed embodiments.Variations of exemplary system 600 may be used by manufacturer 510(e.g., as manufacturer system 512), customer 520, requesting party 530,and/or laboratory 560 (e.g., as laboratory system 562). In oneembodiment, system 600 may comprise one or more processors 621, one ormore input/output (I/O) devices 622, and one or more memories 623. Insome embodiments, system 600 may take the form of a server, mainframecomputer, or any combination of these components. In some embodiments,system 600 may take the form of a mobile computing device such as asmartphone, tablet, laptop computer, or any combination of thesecomponents. Alternatively, system 600 may be configured as a particularapparatus, embedded system, dedicated circuit, and the like based on thestorage, execution, and/or implementation of the software instructionsthat perform one or more operations consistent with the disclosedembodiments.

Processor 621 may include one or more known processing devices, such asmobile device microprocessors or any various other processors. Thedisclosed embodiments are not limited to any type of processor(s)configured in system 600.

Memory 623 may include one or more storage devices configured to storeinstructions used by processor 624 to perform functions related to thedisclosed embodiments. For example, memory 623 may be configured withone or more software instructions, such as program(s) 624 that mayperform one or more operations consistent with disclosed embodimentswhen executed by processor 621. The disclosed embodiments are notlimited to separate programs or computers configured to performdedicated tasks. For example, memory 623 may include a single program624 that performs the functions of system 600, or program 624 maycomprise multiple programs. Memory 623 may also store data 625 that isused by one or more programs 612, such as correlation data mappingdistinct features to one or more components of the supply chaininformation.

I/O devices 622 may be one or more devices configured to allow data tobe received and/or transmitted by system 600. I/O devices 622 mayinclude one or more digital and/or analog devices that allow componentsof environment 500 to communicate with other machines and devices, suchas other components of environment 500. For example, I/O devices 622 mayinclude a screen for displaying messages, distinct feature information,supply chain information, or providing other information to the user,such as an employee of manufacturer 510, customer 520, requesting party530, and/or laboratory 560. I/O devices 622 may also include one or moredigital and/or analog devices that allow a user to interact with system600 such as a touch-sensitive area, keyboard, buttons, or microphones.I/O devices 622 may also include other components known in the art forinteracting with a user.

The components of system 600 may be implemented in hardware, software,or a combination of both hardware and software, as will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. For example, although one or more componentsof system 600 may be implemented as computer processing instructions,all or a portion of the functionality of system 600 may be implementedinstead in dedicated electronics hardware.

System 600 may also be communicatively connected to one or moredatabase(s) 627. System 600 may be communicatively connected todatabase(s) 627 through network 550. Database 627 may include one ormore memory devices that store information and are accessed and/ormanaged through system 600. By way of example, database(s) 627 mayinclude Oracle™ databases, Sybase™ databases, or other relationaldatabases or non-relational databases, such as Hadoop sequence files,HBase, or Cassandra.

The databases or other files may include, for example, data andinformation related to distinct features, supply chain information,correlation data mapping the distinct features to the supply chaininformation, data indicative of distinct features assigned to the supplychain information, etc. For example, the databases and other files mayinclude correlation data mapping the supply chain components to distinctfeatures, combinations of distinct features, taggant fiber counts,number of taggant fiber counts, and/or numbers of reference fibersincluded in fiber samples, as described above. Further, by way ofexample, the databases and other files may also include distinctfeatures, combinations of the distinct features, the taggant fibercounts, number of taggant fiber counts, and/or the numbers of referencefibers included in fiber samples assigned to supply chain components bylaboratory 560, as outlined above.

Systems and methods of disclosed embodiments, however, are not limitedto separate databases. In one aspect, system 600 may include database627. Alternatively, database 627 may be located remotely from the system600. Database 627 may include computing components (e.g., databasemanagement system, database server, etc.) configured to receive andprocess requests for data stored in memory devices of database(s) 627and to provide data from database 627.

Although the above description has designated laboratory 560 as theentity assigning various taggants, in other aspects, manufacturer 510,customer 520, requesting party 530 or a third-party entity not shown maybe the one assigning taggants for identification fibers. Furthermore, asseen from FIGS. 5A and 5B, although the description has focused oncellulose acetate tow and the black market associated with cigarettefilters, the embodiments clearly apply to fibers of any material and anyarticle subject to illicit trade.

FIG. 7 illustrates a non-limiting example of a process for embeddingsupply chain information into fibers, as seen and described above withrespect to disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates a non-limiting example of a process for generatingcorrelation data, as seen and described above with respect to disclosedembodiments. For example, as described in FIG. 8, manufacturer 510 (andadditionally or alternatively, laboratory 560) may generate a firststructured list of the supply chain components having one or morecorresponding attributes, and may generate a second structured list ofthe distinct features. In some aspects, manufacturer 510 may establishmeasurable gradations of the distinct features included in the secondstructured list, and further, may map (i) elements of the firststructured list to elements of the second structured list and (ii) theattributes of the supply chain components to the established measurablegradations. Manufacturer 510 may, in additional aspects, storecorrelation data (e.g., in database 627) reflecting the mapping of theelements of the first and second structured lists and the mapping of thesupply attributes of the supply chain components to the establishedmeasurable gradations.

FIG. 9 illustrates an additional non-limiting example of a process forgenerating correlation data, as seen and described above with respect todisclosed embodiments. For example, as described in FIG. 9, laboratory560 (and additionally or alternatively, manufacturer 510) may generate afirst structured list of components of the supply chain. In oneinstance, the supply chain components may represent one or morecorresponding attributes. Laboratory 560 may also establish measurablegradations in the distinct features, and may generate a secondstructured list comprising distinct combinations of the establishedmeasurable gradations of the distinct features. In some aspects,laboratory 560 may generate a third structured list identifyingpotential groups of the distinguishable identification fibers thatexhibit corresponding ones of distinct features or combinations of thedistinct features included within the third structured list. Thepotential groups of the distinguishable identification fibers may, forexample, be capable of representing the supply chain components includedwithin the first structured list. Laboratory 560 may further map theattributes of the supply chain components to the potential groups of thedistinguishable identification fibers, and store correlation data (e.g.,in database 627) reflecting the mapping of the attributes of the supplychain components to the potential groups of the distinguishableidentification fibers.

FIG. 10 illustrates a non-limiting example of a process for producingidentification fibers, as seen and described above with respect todisclosed embodiments.

FIG. 11 illustrates a non-limiting example of a process for choosing oneor more manufacturing methods, as seen and described above with respectto disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 12 illustrates a non-limiting example of a process for identifyingat least one supply chain component associated with a fiber sample, asseen and described above with respect to disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 13 illustrates a non-limiting example of a process for assigning,to supply chain components, combinations of distinct features andtaggant fiber counts that uniquely represent the supply chaincomponents, as seen and described above with respect to disclosedembodiments.

Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromconsideration of the specification and practice of the embodimentsdisclosed herein. It will be understood that variations andmodifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of thedisclosed embodiments. It is further intended that the specification andexamples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spiritof the disclosed embodiments being indicated by the following claims.

We claim:
 1. A method of making an acetate tow band comprising fibers,wherein the fibers comprise identification fibers and standard fibers,wherein the standard fibers comprise cellulose acetate, and wherein themethod comprises: (a) producing the identification fibers on a firstfiber production process; (b) producing the standard fibers on a secondfiber production process; and (c) combining the identification fibersand the standard fibers into an acetate tow band, wherein each of theidentification fibers exhibits at least one distinct feature, whereinthe distinct features comprise one or more taggant cross-section shapesand/or one or more taggant cross-section sizes, wherein theidentification fibers consist of 1 to 50 groups of the distinguishableidentification fibers, each group of the distinguishable identificationfibers being formed by the identification fibers having the samedistinct feature or the same combination of the distinct features,wherein a number of the identification fibers in each group of thedistinguishable identification fibers is defined as a fiber count,wherein at least one of the fiber counts corresponds to a taggant fibercount, and wherein (i) the distinct features in each group of thedistinguishable identification fibers and (ii) the one or more taggantfiber counts are representative of at least one supply chain componentof the acetate tow band.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the firstfiber production process and the second fiber production processcorrespond to a common fiber production process.
 3. The method of claim1, wherein a number of taggant fiber counts for each group of thedistinguishable identification fibers ranges from 1 to
 10. 4. The methodof claim 1, wherein the identification fibers are produced usingdistinguishable spinneret holes, each group of the distinguishablespinneret holes being formed by spinneret holes having the samedistinguishable spinneret hole geometry, wherein each group of thedistinguishable identification fibers are produced using a correspondinggroup of the distinguishable spinneret holes.
 5. The method of claim 4,wherein all of the distinguishable spinneret holes are contained in asingle spinneret.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein a number of thetaggant cross-section shapes ranges from 1 to
 25. 7. The method of claim4, wherein a portion of the distinguishable spinneret hole geometriesare selected from the group consisting of triangle, circle, rectangle,square, flattened round, trapezoid, hexagon, pentagon, and D-shaped. 8.The method of claim 1, wherein a number of the taggant cross-sectionsizes ranges from 1 to 10, wherein a ratio of a first of the taggantcross-section sizes to an average cross-section size of the standardfibers ranges from 10:1 to 1.1:1, or wherein a ratio of a second of thetaggant cross-section sizes to the average cross-section size of thestandard fibers ranges from 1:10 to 1:1.1, wherein the first taggantcross-section size, the second taggant cross-section size, and theaverage cross-section size are determined based upon an effectivediameter.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the taggant cross-sectionsizes range from 1 to 30 dpf.
 10. The method of claim 4, wherein thedistinguishable identification fibers comprise reference fibers, whereinthe reference fibers exhibit a reference cross-section size and areference cross-section shape, wherein the reference fibers are producedusing the distinguishable spinneret holes comprising reference spinneretholes.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein a ratio of at least one ofthe taggant cross-section sizes to the reference cross-section sizeranges from 20:1 to 1.1:1, and wherein first taggant cross-section sizeand the reference cross-section size are determined based upon aneffective diameter.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein a ratio of thereference cross-section size to at least one of the taggantcross-section sizes ranges from 20:1 to 1.1:1, and wherein the referencecross-section size and the taggant cross-section size are determinedbased upon an effective diameter.
 13. The method of claim 4, wherein anumber of each of the distinguishable spinneret holes is selected toproduce each of the fiber counts.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein anumber of the reference spinneret holes is selected to produce a largernumber of the reference fibers than any of the fiber counts for othergroups of the distinguishable identification fibers.
 15. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one supply chain component comprises amanufacturer of the acetate tow band, a manufacture site of the acetatetow band, a manufacturing line of the acetate tow band, a production runof the acetate tow band, a production date of the acetate tow band, abale of the acetate tow band, a warehouse of the acetate tow band, acustomer of the acetate tow band, or a ship-to location of the acetatetow band.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one supplychain component comprises the manufacturer of the acetate tow band andthe customer of the acetate tow band.
 17. The method of claim 15,wherein the at least one supply chain component comprises themanufacturer of the acetate tow band and the ship-to location of theacetate tow band.
 18. A method of making an acetate tow band comprisingcellulose acetate fibers, wherein the cellulose acetate fibers compriseidentification fibers and standard fibers, wherein the method comprises:(a) co-producing the identification fibers and the standard fibers; and(b) combining the identification fibers and the standard fibers into theacetate tow band, wherein each of the identification fibers exhibits atleast one distinct feature, wherein the distinct features comprisetaggant cross-section shapes and/or taggant cross-section sizes, whereinthe identification fibers consist of 1 to 20 groups of distinguishableidentification fibers, each group of the distinguishable identificationfibers being formed by the identification fibers having the same taggantcross-section shape, the same taggant cross-section size, or a samecombination of the taggant cross-section shape and the taggantcross-section size, wherein a number of the identification fibers ineach group of the distinguishable identification fibers is defined as afiber count, wherein at least one of the fiber counts corresponds to ataggant fiber count, and wherein (i) the distinct features in each groupof distinguishable identification fibers and (ii) the one or moretaggant fiber counts are representative of at least one supply chaincomponent of the acetate tow band.
 19. The method of claim 18, whereinthe identification fibers are produced using distinguishable spinneretholes, each group of the distinguishable spinneret holes being formed byspinneret holes having the same distinguishable spinneret hole geometry,wherein each group of the distinguishable identification fibers areproduced using a corresponding group of the distinguishable spinneretholes.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein all of the distinguishablespinneret holes are contained in a single spinneret.
 21. The method ofclaim 19, wherein a number of the taggant cross-section shapes rangesfrom 1 to 20, and wherein at least a portion of the spinneret holegeometries are selected from the group consisting of triangle, circle,rectangle, square, flattened round, trapezoid, hexagon, pentagon, andD-shaped.
 22. The method of claim 18, wherein a number of the taggantcross-section sizes ranges from 1 to 10, wherein a ratio of at least oneof the taggant cross-section sizes to an average cross-section size ofthe standard fibers ranges from 10:1 to 1.1:1, or wherein a ratio of atleast one of the taggant cross-section sizes to the averagecross-section size of the standard fibers ranges from 1:10 to 1:1.1, andwherein the taggant cross-section size and the average cross-sectionsize are determined based upon an effective diameter.
 23. The method ofclaim 18, wherein a number of the taggant cross-section shapes rangesfrom 1 to 12, a number of the taggant cross-section sizes ranges from 1to 4, and wherein a number of taggant fiber counts for each group of thedistinguishable identification fibers ranges from 1 to
 10. 24. Themethod of claim 19, wherein the distinguishable identification fiberscomprise a reference fiber, wherein the reference fiber comprises areference cross-section size and a reference cross-section shape,wherein the reference fibers are produced using the distinguishablespinneret holes comprising reference spinneret holes; wherein a ratio ofeach of the taggant cross-section sizes to the reference cross-sectionsize ranges from 20:1 to 1:20, wherein the reference cross-section sizeand taggant cross-section sizes are determined based upon an effectivediameter.
 25. The method of claim 19, wherein a number of each of thedistinguishable spinneret holes is selected to produce each of the fibercounts.
 26. The method of claim 24, wherein a number of the referencespinneret holes is selected to produce a larger number of the referencefibers than any of the fiber counts for other groups of thedistinguishable identification fibers.
 27. The method of claim 18,wherein the at least one supply chain component comprises a manufacturerof the acetate tow band, a manufacture site of the acetate tow band, amanufacturing line of the acetate tow band, a production run of theacetate tow band, a production date of the acetate tow band, a bale ofthe acetate tow band, a warehouse of the acetate tow band, a customer ofthe acetate tow band, or a ship-to location of the acetate tow band. 28.The method of claim 27, wherein the at least one supply chain componentcomprises a manufacturer of the acetate tow band and a customer of theacetate tow band.
 29. The method of claim 27, wherein the at least onesupply chain component comprises the manufacturer of the acetate towband and the ship-to location of the acetate tow band.
 30. A method ofmaking an acetate tow band, wherein the acetate tow band comprisescellulose acetate fibers, wherein the cellulose acetate fibers comprisestandard fibers and identification fibers, the method comprising (a)coproducing standard fibers and identification fibers and (b) combiningthe standard fibers and the identification fibers into the acetate towband, wherein each of the identification fibers exhibits at least onedistinct feature, wherein the distinct features comprise 1 to 10 taggantcross-section shapes and/or 1 to 4 taggant cross-section sizes, whereinthe identification fibers consist of one or more groups of thedistinguishable identification fibers, each group of the distinguishableidentification fibers being formed by the identification fibers havingthe same taggant cross-section shape, the same taggant cross-sectionsize, or a same combination of the taggant cross-section shape and thetaggant cross-section size, wherein a number of the identificationfibers in each group of the distinguishable identification fibers isdefined as a fiber count, wherein each of the fiber counts correspondsto a taggant fiber count, and wherein a number of taggant fiber countsfor each group of the distinguishable identification fibers ranges from1 to 4, and wherein (i) the distinct features in each group of thedistinguishable identification fibers and (ii) the taggant fiber countsare representative of a manufacturer of the acetate tow band and acustomer of the acetate tow band or the manufacturer of the acetate towband and a ship-to location of the acetate tow band.